Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080208477 | Method and System for Predictive Stratigraphy Images - Methods and systems are provided for displaying and forecasting the lithology and wellbore conditions to be encountered while conducting drill string operations are conducted in a wellbore. A method and system is described for predicting and modeling lithology while operating a drill string in a wellbore, comprising: developing a 3-D lithological model of a subsurface area; projecting a well path through said subsurface area; determining an open cylinder lithology display of said projected well path; and recording said determined open cylinder display. The open cylinder lithology display (the Predictive Stratigraphy Image) may be displayed with geological or structural cross-sections to compare the well path and the predicted well path, with the actual subsurface environment. Data acquired during drilling operations can be used in real time to update the model or the Predictive Stratigraphy Image, and the results compared with Predictive Image Logs and other wellbore images and data. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208478 | Dynamic Production System Management - Data about operation of a well for extracting a product from the subterranean reservoir and at least one of a characteristic of a subterranean reservoir or operation of a processing and transport system upstream of a point of sale is received. A corrective action can be automatically initiated on at least one of the well or the processing and transport system in response to a difference between the received data and a specified operational objective. An adjustment to a model of the reservoir, the well, and the processing and transporting system can be automatically initiated in response to the received data. | 08-28-2008 |
20080221799 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING DYNAMIC PERMEABILITY OF GAS HYDRATE SATURATED FORMATIONS - A method and system for determining dynamic permeability of gas hydrate formations including deploying a tool within a wellhole configured for magnetic resonance measurements, determining permeability of a formation at or near zero saturation of the gas hydrate and deriving the relationship between permeability and gas hydrate saturation for the formation. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221800 | Method of Determining Downhole Formation Grain Size Distribution Using Acoustic and NMR Logging Data - The grain size distribution of a pore-scale geometric model of a clastic earth formation are adjusted so that the NMR relaxation time distribution output of the model matches a measured NMR distribution, and an acoustic velocity output of the model matches a measured acoustic velocity (compressional and/or shear). Fluid drainage and imbibing can be simulated. Additional properties of the earth formation are predicted using the pore-scale model. The additional properties may be based on additional measurements of properties of a fluid in the formation. | 09-11-2008 |
20080234938 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMATION TESTING - A method includes calculating a correction factor that uses a tool component volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting from a change in the tool component. An apparatus includes a carrier conveyable into a well borehole, a formation test tool coupled to the carrier, the formation test tool including a tool component. A measurement device to estimate a change in the tool component during operation, and a compensator uses an estimated system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation, the compensator compensating for the system volume change and wherein the estimated system volume change is estimated at least in part using a volume change model. | 09-25-2008 |
20080306692 | Method and Apparatus for Determining the Permeability of Earth Formations - A method and apparatus for determining the fluid permeability of an earth formation is described. An instrument comprising an acoustic source and acoustic and electrokinetic sensors is located in a borehole at a site of interest. The acoustic source is fired and the resulting variations in pressure and electric field generated are measured and recorded. The Biot equation, and an equation for the streaming potential coupled to fluid displacement terms, is solved using finite element analysis to give an expected pressure waveform and electrokinetic waveform based on estimated earth formation properties. By comparison of the measured waveforms and those calculated from the equations, the actual permeability of the earth formation can be deduced. | 12-11-2008 |
20080312838 | Creating an Absorption Parameter Model - To generate an absorption parameter model, estimated values of an effective absorption parameter are received, where the estimated effective absorption parameter values represent absorption encountered by a seismic wave in a subterranean structure. Based on the estimated effective absorption parameter values, an absorption parameter model is generated that varies absorption parameter values along at least one dimension of the subterranean structure. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312839 | Imaging of Formation Structure Ahead of the Drill-Bit - A downhole acoustic logging tool is used for generating a guided borehole wave that propagates into the formation as a body wave, reflects from an interface and is converted back into a guided borehole wave. Guided borehole waves resulting from reflection of the body wave are used to image a reflector. | 12-18-2008 |
20080319675 | Method, system and apparatus for determining rock strength using sonic logging - A method is disclosed for determining a rock strength of an Earth formation, including: receiving a signal representing a measured variation of velocities or slownesses as a function of radius from and azimuth around a borehole; in response to the signal, generating predictions from a Mechanical Earth Model (MEM) representing predictions of a variation of stress and hence velocity as a function of distance from, and azimuth around, the borehole, the MEM including a rock strength model adapted for generating a further prediction representing a predicted variation of velocities or slowness; changing the rock strength in the rock strength model of the Mechanical Earth Model until the further prediction substantially matches the measured variation in velocity around and from the borehole; and, on the condition that the further prediction substantially matches the measured variation in velocity around and from the borehole, generating a set of parameters, wherein the parameters are used to populate the MEM and are used in subsequent calculations. | 12-25-2008 |
20090005995 | Method and Apparatus for Characterizing and Estimating Permeability Using LWD Stoneley-Wave Data - Stoneley-wave data acquired in the LWD environment are used to characterize/estimate formation permeability. Real-time Stoneley-wave time-delay/slowness and center-frequency/attenuation data are used to indicate/characterize formation permeability even during drilling. The use of stabilizers mounted at the tool ends helps maintain the tool position from severe decentralization, reducing ambiguities in the permeability characterization/estimation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 01-01-2009 |
20090037111 | System and Method for Automated Data Analysis and Parameter Selection - System and method for automatic analysis and determination of a parameter. Measurement data are obtained from one or more sensors deployed to measure a desired parameter, the data being associated to identified locations. The measured data are processed to parse out the data obtained with at least one sensor configured to provide a measurement of a selected subsurface parameter and examined to automatically output a value determined to be the most accurate value for the selected parameter from the obtained measurement data. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037112 | Methods and systems for evaluating and treating previously-fractured subterranean formations - Methods, computer programs, and systems for evaluating and treating previously-fractured subterranean formations are provided. An example method includes, for one or more of the one or more layers, determining whether there are one or more existing fractures in the layer. The method further includes, for one or more of the one or more existing fractures, measuring one or more parameters of the existing fracture and determining conductivity damage to the existing fracture, based, at least in part, on one or more of the one or more measured parameters of the existing fracture. The method further includes selecting one or more remediative actions for the existing fracture, based, at least in part, on the conductivity damage. | 02-05-2009 |
20090048783 | METHOD FOR MONITORING SEISMIC EVENTS - A microseismic method of monitoring fracturing operation or other microseismic events in hydrocarbon wells is described using the steps of obtaining multi-component signal recordings from a single monitoring well in the vicinity of a facture or event; and rotating observed signals such that they become independent of at least one component of the moment tensor representing the source mechanism and performing an inversion of the rotated signals to determine the remaining components. | 02-19-2009 |
20090070042 | JOINT INVERSION OF BOREHOLE ACOUSTIC RADIAL PROFILES FOR IN SITU STRESSES AS WELL AS THIRD-ORDER NONLINEAR DYNAMIC MODULI, LINEAR DYNAMIC ELASTIC MODULI, AND STATIC ELASTIC MODULI IN AN ISOTROPICALLY STRESSED REFERENCE STATE - A computer-implemented method of estimating mechanical properties and stresses of rocks around a borehole. In situ stresses and dynamic and static moduli of a rock are jointly inferred from acoustic radial profiles measured with a borehole sonic tool. Inversion is performed on equations that govern the near-borehole distributions of the compressional wave slowness, the fast shear wave slowness, the slow shear wave slowness, and the shear wave modulus in the plane perpendicular to the borehole axis for in situ stresses, the dynamic shear modulus, the dynamic Lamé parameter, λ, the static drained Young's modulus, and the static drained Poisson's ratio. Third-order nonlinear dynamic moduli are also inferred by the procedure. Material properties are retrieved in an isotropically stressed reference state. The input data used by the inversion is appropriately prescribed. Methods for constraining the solution in the event of noisy or limited data are demonstrated. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070043 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING IN-SITU STRESS OF ROCK USING THERMAL CRACK - Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring in-situ stress in rock using a thermal crack. The method involves forming a borehole, cooling a wall of the borehole, applying tensile thermal stress, forming a crack in the borehole wall, and measuring temperature and cracking point. Afterwards, the borehole wall is heated to close the formed crack, the borehole wall is cooled again to re-open the crack, and temperature is measured when the crack is re-opened. The in-situ stress of the rock is calculated using a first cracking temperature at which the crack is formed and a second cracking temperature at which the crack is re-opened. Further, the apparatus cools, heats and re-cools the borehole wall, thereby measuring the first cracking temperature, the second cracking temperature, and the cracking point. | 03-12-2009 |
20090093962 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR T1-BASED LOGGING - System and methods for using nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) T | 04-09-2009 |
20090105956 | Methodology and Application of Multimodal Decomposition of a Composite Distribution - A method for analyzing formation data includes decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data. A system for analyzing formation data that includes a processor and a memory that stores a program having instructions for decomposing the formation data into simple components that can be used to reconstruct the formation data, wherein the decomposing is performed at a first location and includes a process to minimize an overlap between the simple components; and transmitting parameters representing the simple components to a second location for reconstructing the formation data. | 04-23-2009 |
20090119018 | SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION PROPERTIES PREDICTION - A method for predicting subterranean formation properties of a wellsite. The method includes obtaining seismic data for an area of interest, obtaining an initial seismic cube using the seismic data, and obtaining a shifted seismic cubes using the seismic data, where each of the shifted seismic cubes is shifted from the initial seismic cube obtaining a shifted seismic cubes using the seismic data, where each of the shifted seismic cubes is shifted from the initial seismic cube. The method further includes generating a neural network using the initial seismic cube, the shifted seismic cubes, and well log data and applying the neural network to the seismic data to obtain a model for the area of interest, where the model is used to adjust an operation of the wellsite. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125238 | Method for Mechanical and Capillary Seal Analysis of a Hydrocarbon Trap - Method for making a probabilistic determination of total seal capacity for a hydrocarbon trap, simultaneously considering both capillary entry pressure and mechanical seal capacity, and where capillary entry pressure is estimated by relating it directly to the buoyancy pressure applied by the hydrocarbon column to the top seal. The method thus considers the substantial uncertainty associated with input parameters, which uncertainty limits the utility of such analyses for robust hydrocarbon column height and fluid contact predictions. The method disclosed for estimating seal capillary entry pressure, the requisite input parameter for capillary seal capacity analysis, by inverting trap parameters avoids the need for direct measurement by mercury injection capillary capacity tests on small pieces of rock, which test results often are not available for all desired locations nor are they necessarily representative of adjacent rocks in the seal. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125239 | Rock and Fluid Properties Prediction From Downhole Measurements Using Linear and Nonlinear Regression - Measurements of fluorescence spectra of fluid samples recovered downhole are processed to give the fluid composition. The processing may include a principal component analysis followed by a clustering method or a neutral network. Alternatively the processing may include a partial least squares regression. The latter can give the analysis of a mixture of three or more fluids. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125240 | USING MICROSEISMIC DATA TO CHARACTERIZE HYDRAULIC FRACTURES - Methods and apparatus that use microseismic event data, stress data, seismic data, and rock properties to predict the hydrocarbon production success of a well location are disclosed. An example method generates a hydrocarbon production function based on information associated with at least a first well location, obtains information associated with a second well location, and calculates the hydrocarbon production function using the information associated with the second well location to predict the hydrocarbon production of the second well location. | 05-14-2009 |
20090132169 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EVALUATING FLUID MOVEMENT RELATED RESERVOIR PROPERTIES VIA CORRELATION OF LOW-FREQUENCY PART OF SEISMIC DATA WITH BOREHOLE MEASUREMENTS - A method for identifying a nature of formation contrasts that cause changes in seismic or sonic wave properties in a low-frequency range includes obtaining a selected property of a formation surrounding a borehole, wherein the selected property is at least one selected from the group consisting of a permeability and a fracture density; decomposing seismic signals into a set of instant amplitudes and frequency fields; calculating a plurality of low-frequency attributes characterizing the low-frequency range of the seismic signals; and establishing a correlation between at least one of the plurality of the low-frequency attributes and the selected property of the formation. | 05-21-2009 |
20090143990 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING FORMATION PARARMETERS USING A SEISMIC TOOL ARRAY - A method and apparatus for determining formation parameters including a seismic array for receiving seismic waves at plurality of depth simultaneously, thereby enabling a determination of a formation velocity by using a difference in the seismic waves received by the various portions of the array. | 06-04-2009 |
20090150078 | Method and signal processing means for detecting and discriminating between structural configurations and geological gradients encountered by kinetic energy subterranean terra-dynamic crafts - The present invention is directed to signal processing means for detecting and discriminating between geological layers encountered by kinetic energy subterranean vehicles in flight (terra-craft), using a raw signal representing deceleration of the terra-craft. The signal processing means uses autocorrelation and filtering to amplify the rate of deceleration, allowing the same to be compared to extensive data compiled for the US government regarding rates of deceleration in known materials, using various craft geometry. In this way, the unknown material encountered by the terra-craft can be identified by comparing the deceleration of the craft through a layer of material to the known data for the craft geometry. The signal processing means may further comprise a plurality of circuits to detect and annunciate varying layers in a media, and to track in real time the location of the projectile. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150079 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR CONTAMINATION LEVELS IN A FORMATION FLUID - Apparatus and methods to monitor contamination levels in a formation fluid are disclosed. An example method involves obtaining first property data indicative of a first fluid property of a formation fluid and second property data indicative of a second fluid property of the formation fluid. A correlation between the first and second property data is generated and third data is fitted to the correlation. A fitting parameter is determined based on the third data indicative of an amount of change of the first property data relative to an amount of change of the second property data. | 06-11-2009 |
20090157320 | CHARACTERIZING AN EARTH SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURE BY ITERATIVELY PERFORMING INVERSION BASED ON A FUNCTION - To characterize an earth subterranean structure using a measurement assembly including electromagnetic (EM) receivers and one or more EM sources, measured voltage data collected by EM receivers in response to transmission by one or more EM sources is received. Based on a model, predicted EM data is computed. Inversion is iteratively performed according to a function that computes a difference between the measured voltage data and a product of a term containing the predicted EM data and a term containing distortion data that accounts at least for distortion effect by an environment of the measurement assembly. The inversion is iteratively performed to solve for parameters of the model and the distortion data. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157321 | Determining Wellbore Position Within Subsurface Earth Structures and Updating Models of Such Structures using Azimuthal Formation Measurements - A method for determining structure in the Earth's subsurface includes generating an initial model of the structure. The initial model includes at least one layer boundary. A wellbore is drilled along a selected trajectory through the Earth's subsurface in a volume represented by the initial model. At least one formation parameter is measured azimuthally along the wellbore. A distance is determined from the wellbore at selected positions therealong to the at least one layer boundary using the azimuthal formation parameter measurements. The initial model is adjusted using the determined distances. In one example, the parameter is resistivity. In one example, the parameter is acoustic velocity. | 06-18-2009 |
20090187346 | METHODS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF BUBBLE POINT PRESSURE - A method includes acquiring formation fluid sample information including pressure, volume, and temperature. Monotonic formation fluid information is extracted from the formation fluid sample information and a pressure, volume, temperature information set is constructed. A curvature sequence is estimated using a first partial derivative and a second partial derivative of pressure with respect to volume. A first maxima is estimated from the curvature sequence, and the formation fluid property is estimated using the estimated first maxima. A method may include a volume acceleration sequence estimated using a first partial derivative and a second partial derivative of the volume with respect to pressure. A first maxima is estimated from the volume acceleration sequence, and the formation fluid property is estimated at least in part by using the estimated first maxima. A method may include establishing a first linear regression model and predicting a confidence interval. | 07-23-2009 |
20090192716 | Determining in-situ the relation between seismic velocity and state of stress in an underground formation - A method of determining in-situ a relation between the seismic velocity and the state of stress in an underground formation located under a surface subjected to time-changing surface loading conditions. A relation is selected between the seismic velocity and the state of stress containing at least one unknown parameter. A seismic source is arranged at surface or in a borehole penetrating the underground formation, and a seismic receiver is arranged at a distance from the seismic source at surface or in a second borehole. At two different times the seismic velocity of the formation along a path from the seismic source to the seismic receiver is determined. The difference in surface loading conditions at the two times is converted in a difference in states of stress in the underground formation. The unknown parameter(s) are calculated to obtain the relation between the seismic velocity and the state of stress in the underground formation. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192717 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DYNAMIC FILTERING OF GEOMETRIC PRIMITIVES IN 3D SPACE - Methods and systems for investigating subterranean formations are disclosed. A method for investigating subterranean formations includes obtaining formation property data for a volume of interest in the subterranean formation s; presenting the formation property data as a collection of objects in a three-dimensional volume that represents the volume of interest; filtering the collection of objects based on proximity to a reference point and a selected property associated with a subset of the collection of objects; and displaying objects that satisfy the proximity to the reference point and the selected property. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198446 | TWO DIMENSIONAL T1/T2APP-T2APP PROCESSING OF MULTI-GRADIENT NMR DATA - A method for estimating a property of a material, the method including: acquiring data using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, the measurements performed by varying at least one of a magnetic field gradient (G) and an inter-echo time (TE); organizing the data according to at least one of magnetic field gradients (G) and inter-echo times (TE) used in the NMR measurements; calculating a shift of apparent transverse relaxation time (T | 08-06-2009 |
20090198447 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSURFACE RESERVOIRS - Method and system for visualizing one or more properties of a subterranean earth formation while drilling a borehole using probability information from a modeling process. Probability waveforms based on information from a plurality of borehole stations may be plotted, either alone or superimposed onto other graphical representations, to provide a visual display that is easily interpreted by a user to make geosteering decisions. The probability waveforms include peaked sections that are proportional to the amount of uncertainty or error associated with a boundary estimate at a particular distance from an axis of the borehole. By providing a visual display of the uncertainty, a user can make better geosteering decisions. | 08-06-2009 |
20090216456 | ANALYZING DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF RESERVOIR DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM BASED ON THERMAL TRANSIENT DATA - A solution for analyzing a performance of a reservoir development system is disclosed. A method may include: receiving thermal transient data for the reservoir development system; determining a thermal parameter of the reservoir development system based on the thermal transient data; and analyzing a thermal transient performance of the reservoir development system based on the thermal parameter. | 08-27-2009 |
20090240436 | DATA PROCESSING METHOD FOR DETERMINING ACOUSTIC VELOCITIES FROM ACOUSTIC WELL LOGGING INSTRUMENTS - A method for estimating interval travel time of an Earth formation using an acoustic well logging instrument having a plurality of spaced apart acoustic transmitters and acoustic receivers includes measuring travel time between a transmitter and a receiver for substantially all possible combinations of each of the plurality of transmitters and each of the plurality of receivers. Each of the possible combinations includes a common depth interval of the Earth formations. The method then include determining at least one statistical measure of center of the measured travel times. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240437 | METHODS OF LOGGING GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS - A method of processing geological log data obtained from use of one or more logging tools and including at least a first log having a relatively poor attribute and a corresponding, second log having a relatively good said attribute comprises the step of incorporating into the first log characteristics of the second log that confer improvements in the said attribute, characterised in that the incorporating step includes modulating the extent of incorporation into the first said log of the said characteristics without distorting geologically significant information in the first log. | 09-24-2009 |
20090248310 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYSIS OF DOWNHOLE ASPHALTENE GRADIENTS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - A method and system for characterizing asphaltene gradients of a reservoir of interest and analyzing properties of the reservoir of interest based upon such asphaltene gradients. The analysis employs a correlation that relates insoluble asphaltene concentration to spectrophotometry measurement data measured at depth. | 10-01-2009 |
20090254283 | METHOD FOR PETROPHYSICAL EVALUATION OF SHALE GAS RESERVOIRS - A method for evaluating an earth formation from a well bore, that includes: collecting at least one of geochemical data, petrophysical data and geomechanical data from a wellbore; and identifying depositional facies of the earth surrounding the wellbore. A computer program product and a system are provided. | 10-08-2009 |
20090271116 | INFORMATION CHARACTERIZATION SYSTEM AND METHODS - The present disclosure provides a method of normalizing characterization information comprising: defining a plurality of characteristics, for each characteristic defining a set of allowed values and defining a logging interval. The method further comprises: at a plurality of logging intervals, selecting a value from the set of allowed values for a characteristic of the plurality of characteristics, and storing the selected value for the characteristics at the plurality of logging intervals. The present disclosure also provides a system for correlating log information comprising: a core set log data module for storing core set log data information, an electrical log data module for storing electrical log data information, a correlation module for correlating the core set log data information with the electrical log data information, and an input/output module for inputting and displaying the core set log data information the electrical log data information. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271117 | System and Method for Deep Formation Evaluation - A technique facilitates formation evaluation by deploying tools in a subterranean environment. A logging tool is deployed in a wellbore to obtain formation related measurements. Additionally, one or more mobile robots also are positioned in the subterranean environment at unique positions that facilitate accumulation of data related to the formation. The data obtained from the logging tool and the one or more mobile robots is processed in a manner that enables deep formation evaluation. | 10-29-2009 |
20090306898 | Testing Particulate Materials - Embodiments include an apparatus and method for testing a particulate material suitable for use as a proppant. According to one embodiment, a sample of the particulate material is captured in the cavity of a test vessel between a cavity wall and a piston sealed with the cavity wall. A fluid is flowed into the test vessel from a fluid inlet of the test vessel to wet the sample of particulate material. The fluid is pressurized to a target fluid pressure greater than ambient pressure and heated to a target temperature greater than ambient temperature. The piston is moved into direct contact with the particulate material with sufficient force to crush at least a portion of the particulate material while maintaining one or both of the target temperature and the target pressure for one or more test cycles. Each test cycle has a duration of at least about 120 seconds and as long as about 24 hours. | 12-10-2009 |
20100004868 | ENABLING ANALYSIS OF A SURVEY SOURCE SIGNAL USING A TIME-BASED VISUALIZATION OF THE SURVEY SOURCE SIGNAL - To enable analysis of a signal associated with surveying a subterranean structure, a processing system receives a time series of the signal associated with surveying the subterranean structure. A visualization of the time series is generated, where the visualization is a time-based representation of a characteristic of the signal. The visualization enables a determination of whether undesirable variations occur with the signal over time. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010745 | Well Log Normalization - A method of normalizing well log data relating to geology of a subsurface region includes identifying a pair of markers defining a zone on each well log, determining a statistic for a property within the zone for each well log, fitting a smooth function to the statistics to create a first-iteration trend surface, determining, for each statistic, a deviation from the trend surface and eliminating those statistics that deviate from the trend surface by greater than a threshold value, fitting a smooth function to the remaining statistics to create a second-iteration trend surface, normalizing the property for each well log based on the second-iteration trend surface, and analyzing the normalized properties to determine the geology of the subsurface region. | 01-14-2010 |
20100017137 | METHOD FOR ELECTROMAGNETICALLY MEASURING PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF A PIPE - The method electromagnetically measures a pipe inner diameter ID and a pipe ratio of magnetic permeability to electrical conductivity μ | 01-21-2010 |
20100042325 | DETERMINING CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUBTERRANEAN BODY USING PRESSURE DATA AND SEISMIC DATA - To determine characteristics of a subterranean body, pressure testing is performed, where the pressure testing involves drawing down pressure in the well. Pressure data in the well is measured during the pressure testing, and a seismic surface operation is performed. Seismic data is measured as part of the seismic survey operation. The pressure data and the seismic data are provided to a processing system for processing to determine characteristics of the subterranean body. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042326 | METHOD OF DETECTING A LATERAL BOUNDARY OF A RESERVOIR - A method of monitoring a subsurface formation underneath a sea bed, the method comprising determining non-vertical deformation of the sea floor over a period of time and inferring a parameter related to a volume change in the subsurface formation from the non-vertical deformation of the sea. Determining the non-vertical deformation of the sea floor comprises selecting a plurality of locations on the sea floor and determining a change in distance between at least one pair of the locations over the period of time. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042327 | BOTTOM HOLE ASSEMBLY CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT - A method for configuring a bottom hole assembly from a plurality of formation evaluation tools, includes: creating a health history for each tool of the plurality of formation evaluation tools; ranking the resulting plurality of health histories according to health; and selecting at least one tool for the bottom hole assembly according to a ranking for the at least one tool. A system and a computer program product are also provided. | 02-18-2010 |
20100057366 | Method for attenuating correlated noise in controlled source electromagnetic survey data - A method for attenuating correlated noise in transient electromagnetic survey signals includes producing, from a transient electromagnetic signal measured by a first receiver, an estimate of the Earth response and an estimate of the correlated noise from a portion of the signal occurring before onset of an Earth response, and/or after the Earth response has substantially decayed. An estimate of the correlated noise is determined over the entire measured signal from the first receiver using the estimate of the Earth response. The noise estimate from the entire signal and the portion estimate are used to estimate correlated noise in transient signals from at least a second receiver. | 03-04-2010 |
20100082257 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ACOUSTICALLY MONITORING FORMATIONS - Methods and systems for acoustically determining reservoir parameters of subterranean formations. A tool comprising a plurality of acoustic sources and configured for acoustic measurements is deployed within a wellhole. Acquired acoustic data are processed and utilized for deriving key parameters for the formations. | 04-01-2010 |
20100121579 | PROCESSING MEASUREMENT DATA THAT INVOLVES COMPUTING A DERIVATIVE OF THE MEASUREMENT DATA THAT REPRESENTS A SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURE - To process measurement data representing a subterranean structure, a derivative of the measurement data collected by at least one survey receiver is computed, with respect to frequency. A response representing the subterranean structure is then computed based on the derivative of the measurement data, where the response contains an air-wave component that has been suppressed due to computing the derivative of the measurement data relative to at least another component that is sensitive to the subterranean structure. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121580 | METHOD OF ESTIMATING PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF A GEOLOGICAL FORMATION - A well passing through a geological formation is fitted with a tube, open at its bottom end, that is filled with a fluid. Another fluid is in the annular space between the tube and the wall of the well, the two fluids exhibiting an interface situated in the annular space. A hydraulic balance of the fluids of the well is disturbed and the trend of certain quantities is measured. These measurements are moreover simulated by computer by using different sets of values for the physical parameters, and efforts are made to estimate the geological formation. A comparison of the measurements with the simulation results makes it possible to identify an optimum set of values for the parameters. | 05-13-2010 |
20100161229 | Apparatus and Methods for Gas Volume Retained Coring - An apparatus for use in a wellbore may include a tool having a first section configured to receive a core and a second section configured to collect a gas escaping from the core. The apparatus may also include a sensor associated to provide signals relating to a property of gas. In one aspect, the second section may be removable and may be pressurized. The apparatus may also include a recorder that records data representative of the signals received from the sensor. The recorder may record data while the tool is retrieved from the wellbore. A method for estimating a parameter of interest of a formation includes retrieving a core from the formation, collecting a gas escaping from the core as the core is retrieved to the surface, and measuring at least one property of gas while the core is retrieved to the surface. | 06-24-2010 |
20100223011 | REFLECTOMETRY REAL TIME REMOTE SENSING FOR IN SITU HYDROCARBON PROCESSING - A method and apparatus for sensing conditions in a subsurface geologic formation heated for the extraction of hydrocarbons is disclosed. A time domain reflectometer in conjunction with an open wire transmission line is employed in real time to determine impedance discontinuities in the geologic formation. These impedance discontinuities correspond to physical conditions in the geologic formation. The open wire transmission line can include pipes running into the subsurface geologic formation or other conductors, including a split tube well casing. The method may operate in the low frequency window for subsurface electromagnetic propagation. | 09-02-2010 |
20100268468 | Method and Apparatus for Geobaric Analysis - A method and apparatus for geobaric analysis. The method may include acquiring an in situ gas volume of a subterranean formation, acquiring a drilling fluid characteristic, determining a volume of gas excavated from the subterranean formation utilizing the drilling fluid characteristic, and estimating the formation pressure utilizing the in situ gas volume and the excavated gas volume. | 10-21-2010 |
20100274489 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BOREHOLE SEISMIC - Methods and systems for determining reservoir parameters of subterranean formations. A tool is configured or designed for deployment at at least one depth in a borehole traversing a subterranean formation. The tool comprises at least one sensor configured or designed for sensing rotational components of a seismic wavefield deployed in an array comprising at least one sensor configured or designed for sensing translational components of a seismic wavefield. A computer is in communication with the tool and a set of instructions executable by the computer that, when executed, process the seismic measurements and derive parameters relating to the formation based on the seismic measurements. | 10-28-2010 |
20100305865 | ESTIMATING VELOCITIES WITH UNCERTAINTY - A method and apparatus for estimating velocity in a subsurface region. Seismic data for a subsurface region may be received. One or more attributes for the seismic data may be calculated. A posterior distribution may be generated. The posterior distribution may represent one or more probabilities of one or more velocities for the attributes. A velocity with uncertainty may be determined for the subsurface region based on the posterior distribution. A pore pressure with uncertainty may be determined based on the velocity with uncertainty. | 12-02-2010 |
20110022319 | GUIDED BAYESIAN EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN - A Bayesian methodology is described for designing experiments or surveys that are improved by utilizing available prior information to guide the design toward maximally reducing posterior uncertainties in the interpretation of the future experiment. Synthetic geophysical tomography examples are used to illustrate benefits of this approach. | 01-27-2011 |
20110035153 | WELLBORE LOGGING PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for correcting a measurement of a property of a subsurface material includes: selecting an instrument that includes a test circuit and a separate sensor, the test circuit configured for providing a standard for referencing to generate correction information, the sensor configured for: transmitting an electric signal into the subsurface material; and receiving a data signal from the subsurface material; wherein the test circuit and the sensor are switchably coupled to an electronics unit of the instrument; receiving the electric signal from the test circuit in the electronics unit; using the electronics unit, measuring at least one output characteristic of the instrument; and applying the correction information to the data signal according to the measured output characteristic. | 02-10-2011 |
20110077868 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING VERTICAL STRESS FIELDS - A method of estimating at least one of stress and pore fluid pressure in an earth formation is disclosed. The method includes: discretizing a domain including at least a portion of the earth formation into a plurality of cells, each cell including a respective density value; dividing the domain into a first region and a second region, the first region including a surface of the earth formation; vertically integrating the respective density values in the first region; and estimating the total vertical stress for each cell in the first region and the second region by estimating a point load based on the respective density value. | 03-31-2011 |
20110093201 | METHOD FOR EVALUATING FLUID PRESSURES AND DETECTING OVERPRESSURES IN AN UNDERGROUND MEDIUM - A method for evaluating fluid pressures and detecting overpressures in an underground medium is disclosed having application to petroleum exploration for detection of overpressure zones while drilling for example. A seismic P wave velocity cube and a seismic S wave velocity cube are constructed by a stratigraphic inversion of seismic data, and a lithology cube identifying argillaceous lithologies and non-argillaceous lithologies is deduced therefrom. A relationship for estimating the fluid pressure from seismic P wave velocities is then determined from well data and for each one of the two lithologies. Finally, the fluid pressures in the underground medium are assessed by constructing a fluid pressure cube by applying the relationship to the seismic P wave velocity cube as a function of the lithology cube. | 04-21-2011 |
20110098930 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING GEOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE OF A GEOLOGIC VOLUME - The geological architecture of a geologic volume of interest is estimated through the generation and/or selection of one or more numerical analog models of the geologic volume of interest that represent characteristics of the geologic volume of interest as a function of position within the geologic volume of interest. The estimation of geological architecture of the geologic volume of interest may be implemented in reservoir exploration and/or development. | 04-28-2011 |
20110137568 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF HYDROCARBON DEPOSITS - A method and apparatus is provided for detecting and categorizing subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs. Air samples are collected and analyzed by counting hydrocarbon ions, such as methane ions and counting at least one higher order hydrocarbon ions, such as propane, pentane or hexane. The methane ions and at least one higher order hydrocarbon ions are associated with location co-ordinates to form a first raw data set and second raw data set. The first and second raw data sets are analyzed and processed to produce hydrocarbon footprints. The hydrocarbon footprints are superpositioned with other available geological information and subsurface formations of interest are identified. | 06-09-2011 |
20110161010 | TESTING ADDITIVES FOR PRODUCTION ENHANCEMENT TREATMENTS - Fluid tests may be performed to determine suitability of an additive for a production enhancement treatment. In one aspect, a measuring device is used to determine a result of adding a sample of solid material to a test fluid that includes an additive. The result may include, for example, a change in surface tension, a change in contact angle, and/or another result. The measured result is used to determine the suitability of the additive for use in a stimulation treatment for a subterranean formation. For example, the additive may be determined suitable for use during a pad phase of a fracture treatment, during a proppant-laden phase of a fracture treatment, and/or for other phases and/or types of stimulation treatments. | 06-30-2011 |
20110172924 | FORECASTING ASPHALTIC PRECIPITATION - The magnitude of asphaltic precipitation when injecting a viscosity reducing diluent into a reservoir formation, notably to assist oil recovery therefrom, is forecast by (i) determining a relationship between asphaltic precipitation and a solubility parameter for the diluted oil, and then (ii) utilizing that relationship to forecast the magnitude of asphaltic precipitation when injecting a predetermined viscosity reducing diluent into the formation. Making this forecast may be followed by injecting a viscosity reducing diluent into the formation to assist oil recovery. The diluent may in particular be supercritical carbon dioxide or other asphaltene precipitant mixed with a more polar material in proportions designed by forecasting asphaltic precipitation by candidate materials in possible proportions. | 07-14-2011 |
20110191031 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISCRETE DISTRIBUTED OPTICAL FIBER PRESSURE SENSING - An apparatus for estimating at least one parameter includes: a deformable member configured to deform in response to the at least one parameter; a housing surrounding at least a portion of an external surface of the deformable member to define an isolated region around the portion and an isolated surface of the deformable member; and at least one optical fiber sensor disposed on the isolated surface and held in an operable relationship with the isolated surface, the at least one optical fiber sensor configured to generate a signal in response to a deformation of the deformable member. | 08-04-2011 |
20110224907 | MINERAL INSULATED CABLE FOR DOWNHOLE SENSORS - An apparatus for measuring downhole pressure includes a plurality of conductors within a mineral insulated cable, a pressure sensor attached to at least two of the conductors, and a thermocouple embedded in the mineral insulated cable. The pressure sensor generates a signal that is dependent upon pressure. The thermocouple is rated for temperatures greater than 150° C. The thermocouple generates a signal that is dependent upon temperature. | 09-15-2011 |
20110251794 | 3D Borehole Imager - Logging tools and methods for obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) image of the region around a borehole. In at least some embodiments, a 3D imaging tool rotates, transmitting pulses that are approximately a nanosecond long and measuring the time it takes to receive reflections of these pulses. Multiple receivers are employed to provide accurate triangulation of the reflectors. In some cases, multiple transmitters are employed to obtain compensated measurements, i.e., measurements that compensate for variations in the receiver electronics. Because reflections occur at boundaries between materials having different dielectric constants, the 3D imaging tool can map out such boundaries in the neighborhood of the borehole. Such boundaries can include: the borehole wall itself, boundaries between different formation materials, faults or other discontinuities in a formation, and boundaries between fluids in a formation. Depending on various factors, the size of the borehole neighborhood mapped out can be as large as 1 meter. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251795 | DIELECTRIC SPECTROSCOPY FOR DOWNHOLE FLUID ANALYSIS DURING FORMATION TESTING - An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid, the apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the Earth; a downhole fluid extraction device disposed at the carrier and configured to extract the downhole fluid; and a dielectric spectrometer disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the extracted downhole fluid at a plurality of frequencies and to measure a plurality of responses to determine a permittivity of the extracted downhole fluid as a function of frequency; wherein the permittivity is used to estimate the property. | 10-13-2011 |
20110251796 | Multi-Well Interference Testing and In-Situ Reservoir Behavior Characterization - Using multi-well testing, operators can characterize a reservoir and its in-situ behavior using direct measurements of reservoir pressures. One or more impulses are generated in an impulse well or location using production, injections, or the like. Downhole pressure tools directly measure pressure responses at various observations wells in the reservoir. Based on the magnitudes of the responses, the distances between the wells, the time lag between responses, and other variables, operators can characterize the pressure distribution of the reservoir and various features, such as the connectivity and extent of the reservoir, barriers, faults, obstructions, pools, communication paths, layer contacts, and well spacing efficiency. | 10-13-2011 |
20110295508 | USING MICROSEISMIC DATA TO CHARACTERIZE HYDRAULIC FRACTURES - Methods and apparatus that use microseismic event data, stress data, seismic data, and rock properties to predict the hydrocarbon production success of a well location are disclosed. An example method generates a hydrocarbon production function based on information associated with at least a first well location, obtains information associated with a second well location, and calculates the hydrocarbon production function using the information associated with the second well location to predict the hydrocarbon production of the second well location. | 12-01-2011 |
20110301850 | METHOD FOR ENHANCED SUBSURFACE ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSITIVITY - A method for measuring an enhanced electromagnetic field response, especially in a submarine environment, for the purposes of subsurface data acquisition and processing. An electromagnetic field is applied to subterranean strata at two or more different frequencies, a response at each frequency is detected, and the responses at different frequencies are resolved. The differences in the phase and/or amplitude of the responses are analyzed and the nature of the strata is determined. The same method can be used to determine the hydrocarbon content of a reservoir via the use of a borehole. | 12-08-2011 |
20120029826 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING VERTICAL STRESS FIELDS - A method of estimating stress in an earth formation is disclosed. The method includes: dividing a domain including at least a portion of an earth formation into a first region and a second region; estimating a first vertical stress in the first region and representing the first vertical stress as at least one point load; estimating a second vertical stress in the second region by a point load based method using the first vertical stress; and estimating at least one horizontal stress based on the second vertical stress. | 02-02-2012 |
20120059590 | Determination of Rock Mechanics While Slabbing - Mechanical properties of formation rock from a subsurface reservoir are measured with a computerized system while a core sample from the formation is being cut, during a process known as slabbing, for other analytical purposes. Forces exerted during cutting of the slab from the original core sample are sensed and stored in the computer system. The recorded force data, cutting time and dimensions of the core sample and the cut slab are processed in the computer system. Measures of characteristics and mechanical properties of the rock, such as rock strength and angle of internal friction, are obtained with the computer system. Separate and specialized testing procedures performed on test core plugs using samples specially extracted from the original core sample are not required. | 03-08-2012 |
20120065889 | Real-Time Fracture Detection And Fracture Orientation Estimation Using Tri-Axial Induction Measurements - A method for determining existence of a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore drilled through subsurface rock formations includes calculating vertical resistivity, horizontal resistivity, apparent formation dip, apparent formation azimuth and axial resistivity for a plurality of longitudinal instrument spacings using measurements from a triaxial induction well logging instrument disposed in the formation. A spread in the axial resistivity values is determined and the axial resistivity spread threshold therefrom. Fracture indicator values and fracture orientation values are calculated from transverse components of the triaxial induction measurements. Presence of a fracture is indicated when at least one of the fracture indicator value exceeds a selected threshold, the axial resistivity spread exceeds the spread threshold and when the apparent formation dip exceeds a selected threshold. | 03-15-2012 |
20120101732 | Integrated Source-Free Method and Apparatus for Porosity Determination: NMR Calibrated Acoustic Porosity - NMR porosity measurements made in a gas free-formation are used to calibrate acoustic measurements. The calibration parameters are then used in conjunction with estimates of shale content to provide improved estimates of formation porosity in shaly intervals which may include a gas. | 04-26-2012 |
20120136577 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING CORROSION IN A WELL | 05-31-2012 |
20120158307 | DOWNHOLE TEMPERATURE PROBE ARRAY - An apparatus includes a tool configured to operate within a borehole during a period wherein matter is being output from a surrounding earth formation into a flow of matter in the borehole. The tool includes a main tool body having a longitudinal axis. A temperature probe array is coupled to the main tool body, including a first temperature probe and a second temperature probe. The first temperature probe is radially spaced from and is at a different circumferential position relative to the second temperature probe during operation. The first temperature probe and the second temperature probe are configured to measure a first temperature and a second temperature, respectively, during operation, wherein at least one of a type of matter in the flow and an entry point of the matter from the surrounding earth formation is derived using the first temperature and the second temperature. | 06-21-2012 |
20120166088 | METHOD OF LOCATING HYDRAULIC BARRIERS WITHIN A GEOLOGICAL GAS STORAGE LAYER - A method of locating argillaceous zones present in a geological layer from seismic data where a gas has been injected is disclosed. From a discretization of the layer into a set of cells, a first set of cells containing CO | 06-28-2012 |
20120173148 | Measurement of hydraulic head profle in geologic media - A system for measuring the profile of the hydraulic head in geologic media surrounding a borehole into the Earth's surface. A flexible liner is everted down the borehole. The profile of the hydraulic transmissivity of the geologic media is obtained during (and indirectly from) the eversion of the flexible liner as it proceeds down the borehole. The liner is then retrieved by inversion from the borehole, while the pressure head in the borehole fluid below the liner is monitored and measured. From the previously obtained transmissivity profile, and the measured head within the borehole, the hydraulic head in the geologic media surrounding the borehole is determined for borehole intervals. A complete hydraulic head profile may be obtained from the collected data. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173149 | METHOD OF ASSESSING HYDROCARBON SOURCE ROCK CANDIDATE - A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analysed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content. | 07-05-2012 |
20120215451 | Pore Pressure from Spectroscopy and Sonic Data - A logging tool capable of making different types of measurements is provided, and a plurality of measurements on a formation are obtained. Certain mineral properties of the formation are assumed and a mixed properties theorem for the formation is invoked. Upper and lower velocity limits for sonic waves traveling through the formation are determined using the above information. Biot's constant is also computed using the above information. LWD data on the formation is obtained and an effective stress is determined. A total stress is determined and, from that and the other information, a pore pressure is determined. | 08-23-2012 |
20120226443 | AUTONOMOUS DOWNHOLE CONTROL METHODS AND DEVICES - Autonomous control of a wellbore tool is provided by programming a memory module of a processor with a database having data relating to a selected parameter of interest; conveying a sensor and the processor along the wellbore; and activating the wellbore tool if the processor determines that a measurement provided by the sensor correlates with the database data. The processor may correlate the sensor measurements with a predetermined pattern associated with the data, a preset value, and/or a preset range of values. Well tool activation may occur when the processor finds: a substantial match between a predetermined pattern and at least one measured value; a present value and at least one measured value, and/or a preset range of values and at least one measured range of values. Also, activating the well tool may occur only if a measurement from a second sensor meets a preset criteria. | 09-06-2012 |
20120239302 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING LIQUID LEVEL IN A WELL - The distance between a reference point and a target surface in a void, such as a well or tank, is measured accurately without having to identify the ambient condition within the void, the ambient temperature inside the void for example. A signal is generated and transmitted through a medium towards the target surface. The target surface comprising a substance that will reflect the signal. The time the signal was transmitted is known and a reference point relative to a detection device is also known. For example, the detector may be the reference point. The detector detects a calibration signal that is reflection of the generated signal off of a calibrated-constrictive element located at a known position relative to the reference point. A measurement signal that is reflection of the generated signal resulting from the generated signal striking the target surface is also detected. The distance measurement is determined based upon this information. | 09-20-2012 |
20120253679 | MEASUREMENT PRETEST DRAWDOWN METHODS AND APPARATUS - Methods of and apparatus to perform a drawdown of a formation fluid in a downhole environment are disclosed. An example method includes contacting a borehole wall with a fluid communication device of a formation testing tool and performing a first type of drawdown to draw fluid into the fluid communication device. The method also includes detecting a breach of a mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the first type of drawdown and performing a second type of drawdown to draw fluid into the sample probe in response to detecting the breach of the mudcake. The second type of drawdown is different than the first type of drawdown. Furthermore, the example method includes confirming the breach of the mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the second type of drawdown. | 10-04-2012 |
20120265444 | Method for post - processing fiber optic strain measurement data - A method to post process strain data records acquired by fiber optic instrumentation from Oil and Gas borehole oil well casing or similar installations is provided. A fiber optic Distributed Strain Sensing (DSS) system acquires strain records and a Distributed Temperature Sensing system (DTS) acquires temperature records along the length of the casing. The temperature records are used to derive the strain contributed by temperature which are then subtracted to obtain temperature corrected strain records. The cables are secured to the casing at each collar interval. Permanent strain variations between intervals are caused during the installation and show up as noise on the strain records. These static strain variations obscure new strain variations that are caused by structural movement that the installation is intended to measure. The temperature-corrected strain records are then processed with a digital low pass filter to expose movements in the micro-strain range. | 10-18-2012 |
20120277996 | METHOD TO DETERMINE REPRESENTATIVE ELEMENT AREAS AND VOLUMES IN POROUS MEDIA - The subject disclosure relates to methods for determining representative element areas and volumes in porous media. Representative element area (REA) is the smallest area that can be modeled to yield consistent results, within acceptable limits of variance of the modeled property. Porosity and permeability are examples of such properties. In 3D, the appropriate term is representative element volume (REV). REV is the smallest volume of a porous media that is representative of the measured parameter. | 11-01-2012 |
20120290210 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INVESTIGATING A FORMATION SURROUNDING A BOREHOLE - A method, a system, and an apparatus are described for the data acquisition in the well-logging of a borehole wall during the investigation of formation properties. Data acquisition is conducted by either an adaptive phase compensation processing or a modulus mode processing, both of which use in-phase and out-of-phase current components to obtain current values. Adaptive phase compensation employs a calculation of a phase shift compensation value, which may then be applied to subsequent acquisitions and can be further processed in the generation of an image of the borehole wall. | 11-15-2012 |
20120330553 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A GENERAL ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY AND WATERFLOOD FORECASTING MODEL - In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure a method for forecasting an advanced recovery process for a reservoir comprises determining a displacement Koval factor associated with a displacement agent associated with an advanced recovery process. The displacement Koval factor is based on heterogeneity of porosity of the reservoir and mobility of the displacement agent. The method further comprises determining a final average oil saturation of the reservoir associated with the advanced recovery process being finished. The method additionally comprises determining an average oil saturation of the reservoir as a function of time for the advanced recovery process based on the displacement Koval factor and the final average oil saturation. | 12-27-2012 |
20130018588 | METHOD OF REAL TIME SUBSURFACE IMAGING USING GRAVITY AND/OR MAGNETIC DATA MEASURED FROM A MOVING PLATFORM - A method for rapid real time imaging of geological formations and/or man-made objects having density and/or magnetization is described, using gravity and/or magnetic scalar and/or vector and/or tensor data measured by a moving platform. The gravity and/or magnetic field sensors may measure gravity and/or magnetic data at the at least one receiver along the survey lines by the moving platform. The recorded data may be applied as an artificial source of the potential field to generate an evolving migration (backpropagating) field, and may be applied iteratively. An integrated sensitivity of the potential field to density and/or magnetization perturbation may be calculated. A spatial weighting of at least one of the evolving migration fields may form an evolving real time holographic image. At least one desired property of the medium may be derived providing real time reconstruction of the volume physical properties of the geological formations and/or man-made objects. | 01-17-2013 |
20130024122 | FORMATION FLUID DETECTION - A method for downhole fluid analysis comprising: receiving fluid property data for two fluids from a device in a borehole; the fluid property data including temperature data of the fluids and resistivity data of the fluids; in real time with receiving the fluid property data, deriving correlation between the temperature data and the resistivity data for each fluid; and evaluating the correlation of the fluids. | 01-24-2013 |
20130030707 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMATION RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS IN OIL-BASED MUD USING A FLOATING REFERENCE SIGNAL - Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole containing an oil-based drilling fluid. The apparatus includes an electrode disposed at a carrier and configured to inject alternating current into the formation. An electrically conductive plate is disposed between the first electrode and a borehole wall. An electrical insulator is disposed between and contacts the first electrode and the conductive plate. The apparatus is configured to prevent the drilling fluid from being disposed between the first electrode and the conductive plate. A first sensor is used to measure an electric field established between the first electrode and the conductive plate. A processor is configured to receive a measurement of the electric field to use as a floating reference signal to determine a phase difference with respect to a measured electrical quantity related to the injected electrical current in order to estimate the property. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030708 | WELLBORE LOGGING PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for correcting a measurement of a property of a subsurface material includes: selecting an instrument having a test circuit and a separate sensor, the test circuit configured for generating a test signal having a characteristic that mimics a downhole measurement environment to generate correction information. The sensor is configured for: transmitting a signal into the subsurface material; and receiving a data signal from the subsurface material; wherein the test circuit and the sensor are switchably coupled to an electronics unit of the instrument. The sensor is further configured for: receiving the test signal from the test circuit in the electronics unit; using the electronics unit, measuring at least one output characteristic of the instrument; and applying the correction information to the data signal according to the measured output characteristic. | 01-31-2013 |
20130060475 | Estimating Reservoir Properties from 4D Seismic Data - Method for deriving a reservoir property change data volume from time shifts used to time-align 4D seismic survey data ( | 03-07-2013 |
20130066559 | INTERPRETING BOREHOLE TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC DATA USING TWO THIN-SHEET CONDUCTORS - An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation involving an electromagnetic transient response of an earth formation and a two thin-sheet conductor model of the earth formation. The method may include generating an electromagnetic transient response in the earth formation, generating a signal indicative of the response, and estimating the at least one parameter of interest using the signal. The method may also include estimating a boundary distance using the at least one parameter of interest. The apparatus may include at least one antenna configured to generate the electromagnetic response in the earth formation and at least one processor configured to estimate the at least one processor based on the electromagnetic transient response. | 03-14-2013 |
20130066560 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING GEOLOGIC BOUNDARIES - A method of estimating a geology of an earth formation includes: receiving gravity measurements from each of a plurality of gravity sensors n | 03-14-2013 |
20130073208 | Method of Measuring Parameters of a Porous Medium Using Nanoparticle Injection - The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for evaluating a porous earth formation. The method may include estimating at least one parameter of interest of the earth formation using a displacement velocity of nanoparticles injected into the porous earth formation and exposed to an alternating magnetic field. The method may include using at least one processor to estimate the value of the at least one parameter. The apparatus may include an alternating magnetic field source, nanoparticles responsive to a magnetic field, and a sensor configured to measure the motion of the nanoparticles. | 03-21-2013 |
20130073209 | Systems and Methods for Positioning Horizontal Wells Within Boundaries - Systems and methods for positioning horizontal wells within a limited-pre-defined boundary. The systems and methods include an automated process for creating jointed target pairs or horizontal laterals to be utilized for planning horizontal wells in order to position the horizontal laterals within limited pre-defined boundary(ies). | 03-21-2013 |
20130080064 | USE OF ATOMIC OPTICAL CLOCKS FOR GRAVITATIONAL SURVEYS - A method of estimating a parameter of an anomaly in an earth formation includes: disposing a measurement device at at least one measurement location, the measurement device including a frequency standard; estimating a frequency shift of a frequency standard due to a gravitational potential at at least one measurement location; and deriving a relationship between a mass and a depth of a formation anomaly at a distance to the at least one measurement location using the frequency shift. | 03-28-2013 |
20130080065 | APPARATUS, COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM CODE FOR EVALUATING ROCK PROPERTIES WHILE DRILLING USING DOWNHOLE ACOUSTIC SENSORS AND TELEMETRY SYSTEM - Apparatus, computer readable medium, and program code for identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An example of an embodiment of such an apparatus includes a downhole sensor subassembly connected between a drill bit and a drill string, acoustic sensors operably coupled to a downhole processor, a borehole telemetry system, downhole and surface data transmitting interfaces, and a surface computer operably coupled to the downhole data transmitting interface. The downhole processor is adapted to perform operations including receiving raw acoustic sensor data resulting from rotational contact of the drill bit with rock, transforming the raw acoustic sensor data into the frequency domain, filtering the transformed data, and deriving acoustic characteristics from the filtered data. The surface computer is adapted to perform operations including deriving petrophysical properties from the acoustic characteristics directly or by utilizing a petrophysical properties evaluation algorithm. | 03-28-2013 |
20130080066 | RESERVOIR PROPERTIES PREDICTION WITH LEAST SQUARE SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE - Subsurface reservoir properties are predicted despite limited availability of well log and multiple seismic attribute data. The prediction is achieved by computer modeling with least square regression based on a support vector machine methodology. The computer modeling includes supervised computerized data training, cross-validation and kernel selection and parameter optimization of the support vector machine. An attributes selection technique based on cross-correlation is adopted to select most appropriate attributes used for the computerized training and prediction in the support vector machine | 03-28-2013 |
20130085676 | Processing of Geological Data - A method of processing geological data comprising a plurality of geological surfaces within a geological volume is provided. The method includes the steps of: (i) specifying a well trajectory which extends through the geological volume; (ii) identifying the geological surfaces within the volume which are intersected by the trajectory; (iii) determining, for each intersected surface, the depth, the dip angle and the dip direction of the surface at the point of intersection with the trajectory; and (iv) predicting a well log for the trajectory, the log specifying the depths, dip angles and dip directions of the intersected geological surfaces. | 04-04-2013 |
20130090856 | Tool Service Life Sensor With Wireless Connectivity - Apparatus for calculating service life expectancy of wellbore intervention tools comprising one or more sensors, power means, control means and wireless connectivity means. Also a method of the measuring and calculating the service life expectancy of wellbore intervention tools using this apparatus. | 04-11-2013 |
20130096833 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF FORMATION WATER RESISTIVITY AND CONDUCTIVITY - According to various embodiments, a method may include measuring a first capacitance of a sample at a first frequency using a measurement system, measuring a second capacitance of the sample at a second frequency using the measurement system, calculating a ratio of the first capacitance to the second capacitance, and determining a formation water resistivity or conductivity of the sample using the ratio. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096834 | Resolution Matched Nonlinear Resolution Enhancement of Well Logs - A technique for processing well logs performs a nonlinear resolution enhancement of raw well logs. The nonlinear enhancement procedure uses a modified Van Cittert nonlinear enhancement technique that avoids instabilities that can arise using Van Cittert techniques. The nonlinear enhancement can provide resolution matched results at a predetermined resolution. | 04-18-2013 |
20130124097 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SPATIALLY INDEPENDENT SUBSETS OF DATA TO CALCULATE PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION UNCERTAINTY OF SPATIALLY CORRELATED RESERVOIR DATA - A system and a method, implemented on a computer, for calculating property distribution uncertainty of spatially correlated petrophysical data. The method includes inputting, into the computer, a sample petrophysical data comprising correlated data; applying, using the computer, a variogram to the sample petrophysical data to select a plurality of subsets of data, the subsets of data being substantially less correlated than the sample petrophysical data; and applying, using the computer, a bootstrap process on each of the plurality of subsets of data to obtain a plurality of bootstrap data sets from each of the plurality of subsets of data. The method further includes calculating data distributions for each of the obtained plurality of bootstrap data sets; ranking the data distributions by using a selected statistical parameter to obtain ranked data distributions; and characterizing the uncertainty based on the ranked data distributions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130144532 | IDENTIFICATION OF RESERVOIR GEOMETRY FROM MICROSEISMIC EVENT CLOUDS - A method for characterizing fracture planes generated during a hydraulic fracturing process, comprises receiving microseismic data from the hydraulic fracturing process and processing a microseismic event cloud from the received microseismic data. This is followed by determining at least one reservoir geometry from the microseismic event cloud. The determination of geometry may consist of determining multiple candidate geometries and probability of each. In some forms of the invention the method may comprise postulating a set of candidate geometries with differing numbers of fracture planes, determining the most probable locations of the postulated fracture planes in each member of the set of candidate geometries and also determining relative probabilities of the candidate geometries in the postulated set. Determining a location of a fracture plane may comprise calculating a number density for each microseismic event, dependent on distance from some possible location of a fracture plane or fracture network. Finding the location of a plane may then be finding the location for which the number density is greatest. The determination of reservoir geometry may be followed by determination of the area of the fracture planes and/or by a prediction of production. | 06-06-2013 |
20130151159 | METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF PETROLEUM RESERVOIRS EMPLOYING PROPERTY GRADIENT ANALYSIS OF RESERVOIR FLUIDS - A methodology for reservoir understanding employs analysis of fluid property gradients to investigate and distinguish between non-compartmentalization of the reservoir, compartmentalization of the reservoir, and lack of thermodynamic equilibrium in the reservoir. | 06-13-2013 |
20130151160 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF A STRATIFIED MEDIUM - The disclosure is related to methods for determining a stress-deformed state of layered media having at least one fluid-filled poroelastic layer induced by fluid pressure changes and it can be used in oil & gas industry. The method comprises determining initial parameters of a layered medium and a volume-distributed loading of developed layers of the layered medium. Then a set of equations is specified including elastic balance equations for each layer and equations defining boundary conditions between the layers. Analytical solutions of the elastic balance equations for each layer are obtained and adjusted to satisfy boundary conditions between the layers. Displacements and stresses in any point of the layered medium are determined in accordance with a required approximation accuracy on basis of the adjusted analytical solutions. | 06-13-2013 |
20130166215 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to operate with respect to environmental measurements. Apparatus and methods include a processing unit to generate a ratio from signals measured relating to an underground environment and to determine parameters of the underground environment based on the generated ratio. | 06-27-2013 |
20130179082 | Forward Elastic Scattering in Borehole Acoustics - A method and computer-readable medium for determining a scattered wave particle velocity for a formation is disclosed. In aspects, the method may include: defining an embedded grid of the formation, and defining a contrast grid of the formation that includes a contrast feature of the formation; calculating a Green's function over the embedded grid; calculating a first scattering vector of the contrast feature for a first offset between the embedded grid and the contrast grid; determining the scattered wave particle velocity for the contrast feature at the first offset using the calculated Green's function and the first scattering vector; calculating a second scattering vector of the contrast feature for a second offset between the embedded grid and the contrast grid; and determining the scattered wave particle velocity for the contrast feature at the second offset is determined using the calculated Green's function and the second scattering vector. | 07-11-2013 |
20130191029 | BLASTING METHOD - Methods for evaluating drill pattern parameters such as burden, spacing, borehole diameter, etc., at a blast site are disclosed. One method involves accumulating the burden contributed by successive layers of rock and matching the accumulated rock burden to a target value for a borehole having a length related to the average height of the layers. Another method relates to varying drill pattern parameters and characteristics to match blast design constraints, including the substitution of one explosive material for another by the proper balance of materials and/or output energies to the associated rock burden. Analysis of deviations from target rock burdens and corrective measures are disclosed, as well as cost optimization methods. The various methods can be practiced using an appropriately programmed general purpose computer. | 07-25-2013 |
20130197809 | RECONSTRUCTING DEAD OIL - A computer accepts dead-oil properties of a reservoir fluid sampled from a well. The dead-oil properties are the measured composition of the reservoir fluid after volatile components of the reservoir have substantially vaporized. The computer analyzes the dead-oil properties and a constraint to produce estimated live-oil properties of the reservoir fluid. The live-oil properties are the composition of the reservoir before the volatile components have substantially vaporized. The computer uses the estimated live-oil properties to make a decision regarding the well. | 08-01-2013 |
20130204534 | Method Of Estimating A Subterranean Formation Property - A method of analyzing a subterranean formation may include collecting a plurality of tool responses from different tools and generating a respective theoretical equation relating tool responses for each of the tools to properties of the subterranean formation. The method may also include generating a database having the tool responses stored therein based upon each respective theoretical equation and generating a non-linear mapping function relating at least one of the tool responses to at least one property of the subterranean formation. The method may also include estimating a value for the at least one property based upon the non-linear mapping function. | 08-08-2013 |
20130245951 | RIG HEAVE, TIDAL COMPENSATION AND DEPTH MEASUREMENT USING GPS - An apparatus for estimating a depth in a borehole penetrating the earth includes: a global positioning system (GPS) receiver disposed at a platform configured for conducting operations related to the borehole, the GPS receiver being configured to receive GPS signals related to a location of the GPS receiver; and a processor coupled to the GPS receiver and configured to estimate the depth in the borehole using GPS location data received from the GPS receiver. | 09-19-2013 |
20130261976 | MACHINES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR SUPER-VIRTUAL BOREHOLE SONIC INTERFEROMETRY - Embodiments of super-virtual borehole sonic interferometry include machines, systems, and methods that can increase the signal-to-noise ratio of sonic log waveforms. Embodiments include performing a common shot gather and recording traces with a sonic tool, repositioning the tool and performing another common-shot gather; cross-correlating each trace with neighboring corresponding traces for each common shot gather, which leads to creating the virtual trace response due to a redatumed virtual source; stacking the common virtual traces with common ray paths for different common shot gathers; convolving the virtual traces with an actual trace that travels from the source through the virtual source to a receiver on the tool; and stacking the traces having common ray paths. The resulting waveforms can have a signal-to-noise ratio significantly greater than the signal-to-noise ratio of the original waveforms, due to the two stacking operations following each redatuming step. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261977 | Method of Determining a Phase Change in a Reservoir - Method and apparatus to determine the relative and/or absolute position of a phase change in a fluid reservoir comprising hydrocarbons by providing a first wire in a borehole within the reservoir; providing a reference system to the first wire in the borehole; transmitting an electromagnetic signal through the first wire; detecting a detected response to the electromagnetic signal from the first wire; generating a reference response from the reference system; using the reference response to correct the detected response; and determining the phase change position using data from the corrected response. Reference systems in the form of a second wire; a transmission line and an electronic equivalent circuit simulation model; and an electrical model of the first wire and borehole, are described. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261978 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF CALCULATING A FAULT THROW - Calculating a fault throw. At least some embodiments are methods of determining an underground surface or horizon including: identifying an occluded zone residing between a first and second faults, the occluded zone not penetrated by an actual borehole, and the first and second faults intersect an expected location of the surface; calculating a fault throw for the first fault; and calculating the underground surface using the fault throw. Calculating the fault throw may include: calculating a first pseudo depth at a first end of the first fault, the calculating the first pseudo depth using at least one actual depth value that resides across the first fault from the first end; calculating a second pseudo depth at a second end of the first fault, the second end distinct from the first end; and determining the fault throw using the first and second pseudo depths. | 10-03-2013 |
20130289881 | Hydraulic Fracture Characterization Using Borehole Sonic Data - A method and apparatus for assessing induced fractures in a subterranean formation including acquiring sonic data before and after a hydraulic fracturing operation, calculating a shear modulus in the borehole cross-sectional plane from Stoneley data, and calculating two shear moduli in two borehole orthogonal axial planes from cross dipole data. A method and apparatus for assessing induced fractures in a subterranean formation including collecting sonic data before and after fracturing the formation, calculating a far-field shear modulus in the borehole cross-sectional plane and a far-field shear moduli in the two orthogonal borehole axial planes, inferring the open or closed status of a fracture, and estimating a radial width or height or both of a vertical fracture. | 10-31-2013 |
20130311097 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESSURE TESTING COMPONENTS OF A HYDROCARBON WELL SYSTEM - A component of a well system can be tested by pressurizing the component of the well system a test pressure via two supply lines connected to the component of the well system, e.g. a choke line and a kill line. Then, a first of the two supply lines can be isolated from the second supply line and the component of the well system. The change in pressure can be measured in the first supply line and the change in pressure can be independently measured in the second supply line and the component of the well system. The change in pressure of the first supply line can be subtracted from the change in pressure of the second supply line and the component. Then, the change in pressure for the component can be analyzed to determine if the component of the well system is maintaining pressure integrity, i.e. leaking or not leaking. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311098 | DETERMINATION OF ROCK MECHANICS FROM NORMAL AND TANGENTIAL FORCES WHILE SLABBING CORE SAMPLES - Mechanical properties of formation rock from a subsurface reservoir are measured with a computerized system while a core sample from the formation is being cut, during a process known as slabbing, for other analytical purposes. Forces exerted during cutting of the slab from the original core sample are sensed and stored in the computer system. The recorded force data, cutting time and dimensions of the core sample and the cut slab are processed in the computer system. Measures of characteristics and mechanical properties of the rock, such as rock strength and angle of internal friction, are obtained with the computer system. Separate and specialized testing procedures performed on test core plugs using samples specially extracted from the original core sample are not required. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311099 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING FLUID SAMPLE CONTAMINATION BY USING MULTI SENSORS - A method of evaluating fluid sample contamination is disclosed. A formation tester tool is introduced into a wellbore. The formation tester tool comprises a sensor. Sensor data is acquired from the sensor and a contamination estimation is calculated. A remaining pump-out time required to reach a contamination threshold is then determined. | 11-21-2013 |
20130317751 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING GEOCHRONOLOGY - Systems and methods for determining geologic age are provided. A method includes separating a sample into species of interest; supplying the species of interest to a mass spectrometer; generating an intensity-versus-time data set for two or more elemental masses, identifying a set of intensity peaks having members from each of at least two of the intensity-versus-time data sets; and determining the geologic age of the sample using ratios of the members of the set of intensity peaks. A system includes a species generator for receiving a sample and generating species of interest; a mass spectrometer for receiving the species of interest and generating an intensity-versus-time data set for each of two or more elemental masses; and a processor configured to identify a set of intensity peaks, and to determine the geologic age of the sample using ratios of the members of the set of intensity peaks. | 11-28-2013 |
20130325348 | OBTAINING WETTABILITY FROM T1 AND T2 MEASUREMENTS - Systems and methods for quickly determining wettability using a derived relationship between the two Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation times T | 12-05-2013 |
20130325349 | Methods for Generating Depofacies Classifications for Subsurface Oil or Gas Reservoirs or Fields - Described herein are embodiments of a method for generating a refined depofacies classification corresponding to a subsurface reservoir. The method includes analyzing a plurality of rock cores obtained from a plurality of wells drilled in the reservoir or field, analyzing a plurality of well logs comprising a plurality of different well log types obtained from the plurality of wells, and determining an initial depofacies classification for at least portions of the oil or gas reservoir or field. It is then determined whether at least one diagenetic, heavy, light or anomalous mineral is present in some of the analyzed rock cores, and if so, whether at least one well log type from among the plurality of different well log types is capable of substantially accurately identifying the presence of the mineral present. The initial depofacies classification is re-analyzed and reclassified to produce a refined depofacies classification. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325350 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACIES CLASSIFICATION - A method of automatically interpreting well log data indicative of physical attributes of a portion of a subterranean formation which include some portion of samples with known facies classification to be used as training data, dividing the training data into two subsets, a calibration set and a cross-validation set, using an automated supervised learning facies identification method to determine a preliminary identification of facies in the subterranean formation based on the calibration set, calculating a confusion matrix for the supervised learning facies identification method by comparing predicted and observed facies for the cross-validation set, calculating a facies transition matrix characterizing changes between contiguous facies, and using the preliminary identification, the facies transition matrix, and the confusion matrix, iteratively calculating updated facies identifications. | 12-05-2013 |
20140025303 | MEASURING TRANSMISSIVITY OF WELLS FROM MULTIPLE LOGS - Models of fluid flow in wells in formation of a subsurface earth reservoir are formed by computers based on measurements obtained by well logging tools run in the wells and measurements of formation rock characteristics obtained from laboratory data. The models so formed are used to form measures of injection/production profiles and assist reservoir engineers in allocation of production and injection wells for the reservoir, and in other reservoir production planning and analysis. | 01-23-2014 |
20140032118 | STRATIGRAPHIC MODELING USING PRODUCTION DATA DENSITY PROFILES - The present disclosure describes systems and methods for performing stratigraphic modeling using production data density profiles. At least some illustrative embodiments include a production logging tool data processing method that includes measuring one or more characteristics of a formation within a borehole, of fluids within the formation or of fluids within the borehole, calculating a density profile of each of the one or more characteristics, and defining a boundary between two reservoir simulation cells based at least in part upon the density profile. The method further includes performing a simulation of a production field including the borehole using said simulation cells and presenting the simulation results to a user. | 01-30-2014 |
20140039795 | Methods and Systems Related to Hydrocarbon Recovery Strategy Development - Hydrocarbon recovery strategy development. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: selecting a set of attributes regarding a first undeveloped hydrocarbon reservoir; identifying a first group of developed hydrocarbon reservoirs, the identifying based on the set of attributes of the first undeveloped hydrocarbon reservoir, and the identifying by a computer system; calculating a first set of statistical data based on the first group of developed hydrocarbon reservoirs, the calculating by the computer system; scaling the first set of statistical data in reference to the set of attributes of the first undeveloped hydrocarbon reservoir to create a second set of statistical data, the scaling by the computer system; and implementing at least one hydrocarbon recovery strategy for the first undeveloped hydrocarbon. | 02-06-2014 |
20140039796 | Method and System for Passive Electroseismic Surveying - A method of passive surveying comprises generating one or more detected signals by passively detecting a signal generated within a subsurface earth formation due to a seismoelectric response or an electroseismic response in at least one porous subsurface earth formation containing at least one fluid, and processing the one or more detected signals to determine at least one property of the subsurface earth formation. | 02-06-2014 |
20140039797 | Determining Well Integrity - A method performed with a computing system for determining well integrity includes receiving a selection of a well configuration of a well comprising one or more casing strings and a production tubing extending from adjacent a wellhead of the well to adjacent a bottom of the well; receiving a selection of a wellbore operation performed with the well configuration; determining, based on the well configuration and the wellbore operation, a characteristic of the well at or adjacent the one or more casing strings and the production tubing during the wellbore operation; modifying the well configuration to remove the production tubing; and determining, based on the modified well configuration and the wellbore operation, the characteristic of the well at or adjacent the one or more casing strings during the wellbore operation. | 02-06-2014 |
20140052376 | Method for Cement Evaluation with Acoustic and Nuclear Density Logs - Method for evaluating cement quality in a cased well. A density log of the well is obtained using, for example, a GammaRay sources and detectors ( | 02-20-2014 |
20140052377 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING RESERVOIR STIMULATION OPERATIONS - A computer system and method for monitoring at least one performance aspect of a plurality of well stimulation operations conducted on a production well penetrating a subterranean formation. The computer system and method involves calculating seismic moments of the microseismic events based upon the shear and compressional waves of the microseismic signal data, totalizing the seismic moment values to a form a cumulative moment of the microseismic events occurring during the time period, and normalizing the seismic moments with the cumulative moment to transform the seismic moments into a normalized seismic moment data set. The microseismic signal data is indicative of shear and compressional waves having amplitudes and frequencies of microseismic events induced by the plurality of well stimulation operations over different time periods. | 02-20-2014 |
20140074406 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING SIMULTANEOUS PETROPHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITION AND TEXTURE OF ROCK FORMATIONS - A system and a computer implemented method for performing simultaneous petrophysical analysis for composition and texture of a rock formation. The method includes inputting a set of response equations for sand, shale and fluid that are present in the rock formation, wherein the shale comprises laminated shale, dispersed shale and structural shale; determining simultaneously a solution of the set of response equations, the solution describing composition and texture of the rock formation; and determining from the solution volume fractions for sand, shale and fluid and a texture of the shale including fractions of laminated shale, dispersed shale and structural shale. | 03-13-2014 |
20140081575 | GUIDED BAYESIAN EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN - A Bayesian methodology is described for designing experiments or surveys that are improved by utilizing available prior information to guide the design toward maximally reducing posterior uncertainties in the interpretation of the future experiment. Synthetic geophysical tomography examples are used to illustrate benefits of this approach. | 03-20-2014 |
20140121976 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF FORMATION BUBBLE POINT IN DOWNHOLE TOOL - An apparatus for estimating a bubble point of a fluid in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole includes: a pump configured to pump fluid from the earth formation through an extendable probe into a volume; and a processor. The processor is configured to perform a pressure-volume test on the fluid sample. The test includes: increasing the pressure of the fluid sample above formation pressure and logging the pressure and volume of the fluid sample; calculating a reference compressibility of the fluid sample; decreasing the pressure of the fluid sample and logging the pressure and volume; calculating a compressibility of the fluid sample using the logged pressure and volume obtained from during the decreasing; comparing the calculated compressibility to a threshold; and estimating the bubble point as the current fluid sample pressure when the calculated compressibility first meets or exceeds the threshold factor. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121977 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING A PETROLEUM RESERVOIR - Computational methods and systems for monitoring a petroleum reservoir are disclosed. A baseline survey is used to generate baseline data for a petroleum reservoir. Subsequent monitor surveys generate monitor data at different stages of production on the reservoir. The baseline data is reconstructed as if it was acquired at the locations of the sources and receivers of the monitor surveys, and the monitor data is reconstructed as if it was acquired at the same locations of the sources and receivers of the baseline survey. For each monitor survey, two four-dimensional (“4D”) difference data sets are generated from the baseline and monitor data and from the reconstructed data. The 4D difference data sets are combined to reduce background and produce 4D signal data that provides reliable and accurate interpretation of production activity on the reservoir. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121978 | Determining Borehole Corrected Formation Properties - A method for correcting formation properties due to effects of a borehole is disclosed. The method includes obtaining voltage measurements using a logging tool disposed in a borehole penetrating a subsurface formation. The method further includes using a processor to: determine a tensor for the formation using the voltage measurement. For a given set of parameters, the processor determines, based upon the voltage measurements, a parameter value for each parameter in a subset of the set of parameters. The method further uses the processor to compute a borehole-inclusive modeled tensor that includes the effects of the borehole using the parameter values, optimize the parameter values using the determined tensor and the borehole-inclusive tensor, compute an optimized tensor using the optimized parameter values, compute a borehole corrected tensor using the optimized tensor, and determine at least one borehole corrected formation property using at least one of the borehole corrected tensor or the optimized parameter values. | 05-01-2014 |
20140121979 | DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF A MATERIAL LOCATED BEHIND AN OBSTRUCTION - A method and apparatus for determining the location of a material located behind an obstruction. A plurality of acoustic resonators ( | 05-01-2014 |
20140129149 | Formation Evaluation Using Hybrid Well Log Datasets - A method for determining at least one characteristic of a geological formation having a borehole therein may include collecting first and second dataset snapshots of the geological formation from the borehole. The method may further include generating a differential dataset based upon the first and second dataset snapshots, determining a multi-dimensional space based upon the differential dataset, and generating a first hybrid dataset based upon the first dataset snapshot by projecting the measurement data from the first dataset snapshot parallel to the multi-dimensional space and onto a complementary multi-dimensional space not parallel to the multi-dimensional space. A second hybrid dataset may also be generated based upon the second dataset snapshot by projecting the measurement data from the second dataset snapshot parallel to the same multi-dimensional space and onto the same complementary multi-dimensional space, and the characteristic(s) associated with the geological formation may be determined based upon the first and second hybrid datasets. | 05-08-2014 |
20140149041 | ROCK FACIES PREDICTION IN NON-CORED WELLS FROM CORED WELLS - Facies in wells in areas of a hydrocarbon reservoir are predicted or postulated. Artificial neural networks are utilized to build a training image based on rock phases which are described and interpreted using existing data obtained from certain wells in the reservoir, and also well log characteristics of those same wells for each rock facies. Well logs from which wells where no well core data has been collected are then analyzed against the training image and the rock facies in the non-cored wells are postulated. The cost and also the possibility of damage to the wells from extraction of the core rock during drilling are avoided. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149042 | Method and System for identification of gas hydrates and free gas in geologic beds - A method and system for prospecting for gas hydrates and gas hydrates over free gas is disclosed. The method includes using well log data to form a rock physics model to generate synthetic seismic representing hydrate and hydrate-over-gas models. Spectral decomposition is applied to the synthetic seismic and to field seismic from the prospecting area, forming low frequency narrow band data sets. From mapped potential sands in the field data, compare positive amplitude dominated event in the narrow band field data to the narrow band synthetics for gas hydrates. Compare negative amplitude dominated event in the narrow band field data to the narrow band synthetics for gas or gas hydrate-over gas. From these comparisons, perform modeling to determine saturation and thickness for hydrates and hydrates-over-gas. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149043 | Determining Fluid Pressure - A wellbore fluid pressure measurement system includes a densometer adapted to measure a fluid density of a fluid flowing in a tubing system; and a monitoring unit communicably coupled to the densometer. The monitoring unit is adapted to receive a plurality of values representative of the fluid density from the densometer and includes a memory adapted to store the plurality of values representative of the fluid density; and one or more processors operable to execute a fluid pressure measurement module. The module is operable when executed to determine a fluid pressure of the fluid based on at least a portion of the values representative of the fluid density. | 05-29-2014 |
20140156194 | DEVIATED WELL LOG CURVE GRIDS WORKFLOW - A method for displaying an exploration and production (EP) data set of a field having a subterranean formation involves obtaining well logs corresponding to deviated wells in a portion of the field, where the well logs represent measured properties of the subterranean formation, extracting a section of each well log corresponding to a horizontal leg of a deviated well, extrapolating data items in the section of each well log to generate extrapolated data items forming the EP data set, where extrapolated data items represent the measured properties combined with a corresponding spatial coordinate across the geological surface, and displaying the numerous extrapolated data items of the EP data set. | 06-05-2014 |
20140214325 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF DOWNHOLE MEASUREMENT DATA FOR BOREHOLE STABILITY PREDICTION - A method for estimating a time at which a pressure window relevant observation occurred relating to an event that occurred in an open borehole penetrating an earth formation includes: receiving with a processor a pressure window relevant observation that provides input to adjusting a pressure window for drilling fluid for drilling the borehole; and estimating with the processor a time window in which a physical parameter, a chemical parameter, or a process that caused the pressure window relevant observation to occur, the time window having a start time and an end time. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214326 | Well Integrity Management Using Coupled Engineering Analysis - Systems and methods for well integrity management in all phases of development using a coupled engineering analysis to calculate a safety factor, based on actual and/or average values of various well integrity parameters from continuous real-time monitoring, which is compared to a respective threshold limit. | 07-31-2014 |
20140222344 | ACOUSTIC SENSOR APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire multiple output values provided by at least one elongated, unitary acoustic sensor operating as a secondary propagation medium. The sensor has multiple mechanical-to-electrical conversion probe points along its length, to provide corresponding multiple output values proportional to mechanical movement along the length of the sensor, the mechanical movement being induced by acoustic waves in a primary propagation medium comprising a geological formation and borehole fluid. Further activity may include processing the output values to determine slowness in an acoustic wave propagating between at least two of the probe points. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 08-07-2014 |
20140236486 | Methods, Program Code, Computer Readable Media, and Apparatus For Predicting Matrix Permeability By Optimization and Variance Correction of K-Nearest Neighbors - Methods, program code, computer readable medium, and apparatus estimating permeability at unsampled (uncored) but logged interval locations in a reservoir based upon a similarity with log signatures from cored intervals, are provided. An example of a method can include performing a core plug-by-core plug blind test, defining an objective function which qualifies the quality of the permeability prediction to minimize discrepancies between measured and predicted permeability, optimizing calculated parameters, and estimating permeability values of uncored logged intervals. The method can also include applying a debiasing/variance restoration to compensate for inherent averaging artifacts | 08-21-2014 |
20140257705 | CROSSWELL SEISMIC SURVEYING IN A DEVIATED BOREHOLE - First seismic data is collected from a plurality of points on a reflecting feature in the formation by emitting a first seismic signal from a first array of source locations in a deviated portion of a first borehole drilled through a formation and receiving first reflections of the first seismic signal from the reflecting feature by a first array of receiver locations in a deviated portion of a second borehole drilled through the formation. Second seismic data is collected from the plurality of points on the reflecting feature in the formation by emitting a second seismic signal from a second array of source locations in the deviated portion of the first borehole, the second array of source locations being different from the first array of source locations, and receiving second reflections of the second seismic signal from the plurality of points on the reflecting feature by a second array of receiver locations in the deviated portion of the second borehole. The collected first seismic data and the collected second seismic data are analyzed to draw conclusions about the formation. The conclusions about the formation are used to take an action concerning the formation. | 09-11-2014 |
20140288834 | FAST INVERSION OF MWD TRANSIENT EM DATA EXCITED BY A PULSE OF AN ARBITRARY SHAPE - A system and method of estimating properties of a subsurface formation are described. The method includes transmitting an excitation current pulse into the formation, receiving an induced pulse used to generate input data, and performing an inversion on the input data using a lookup table based on a shape of the excitation current pulse to estimate the properties of the subsurface formation. | 09-25-2014 |
20140288835 | METHOD FOR COMPUTING UNCERTAINTIES IN PARAMETERS ESTIMATED FROM BEAMFORMED MICROSEISMIC SURVEY DATA - A method for estimating uncertainties in determining hypocenters of seismic events occurring in subsurface formations according to one aspect includes determining estimates of event locations by choosing local peaks in summed amplitude of seismic energy detected by an array of sensors disposed above an area of the subsurface to be evaluated. For each peak, the following is performed: recomputing the summed amplitude response for a selected set of points of comprising small perturbations in time and space from the estimated event locations; computing second derivatives of log likelihood function from the stacked responses at the estimated location and the perturbed locations; assembling the second derivatives into a Fisher information matrix; computing an inverse of the Fisher information matrix; determining variances of estimated parameters from the elements from the diagonal of the inverted matrix; and computing standard deviations of the estimated parameters by calculating a square root of the variances. | 09-25-2014 |
20140309937 | Active Noise Injection Computations for Improved Predictability in Oil and Gas Reservoir Characterization and Microseismic Event Analysis - Application of nonlinear resonance interferometry is introduced as a new geophysical approach to improve predictability in characterization of subsurface microseismic event analysis and propagation of fracture. In contrast to reflection methods that remove random information noise, nonlinear resonance interferometry exploits the full microseismic acquisition spectrum. In some examples, systems and techniques implement novel computational interactions between acquired microseismic wavefield attributes and a nonlinear system in software to amplify distortions in microseismic noise and exploits injection of synthetic noise, in software format, to fracture events. | 10-16-2014 |
20140316706 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CORRELATING GEOLOGIC TOPS - A system and method are provided for automatically correlating geologic tops. The system receives well logs from different well bores and one or more user seed picks identifying a well top to be correlated. Each of the seed picks is added to a priority queue ordered by each pick's confidence. User selected picks are assigned the highest level of confidence. The system performs correlation by selecting a window of well log data about a user's manual pick, selected from the top of the priority queue, and then finding the best optimal match with a corresponding window in a neighboring wellbore. That new pick is then estimated in the target well using a correlation function. A quality value and a confidence value may then be calculated for each pick using some correlation function, for example dynamic time warping, and added to the priority queue according to the confidence value. The system may be configured so that picks that fall below a preset quality or confidence value may be discarded and not added to the queue. The system may then move on to the next pick in the priority queue. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316707 | Formation Tester Interval Pressure Transient Test And Apparatus - A methodology for IPTT (interval pressure transient testing) design which allows estimation of the reliability of the transient tests. A normally distributed random noise is superimposed on analytical pressure profile computed for a given formation, PVT, and gauge metrology. The IPTT success in a particular environment is estimated based on the theoretical pressure derivative and noise superimposed pressure derivative. This approach is repeated for a range of rock, fluid properties, and practical limits, for a successful IPTT. | 10-23-2014 |
20140330521 | METHOD TO ESTIMATE PORE PRESSURE UNCERTAINTY FROM TRENDLINE VARIATIONS - Disclosed is a method for estimating a pore pressure of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole and an associated uncertainty. The method includes: conveying a carrier through the borehole; performing formation measurements at a plurality of depths in the borehole using a downhole tool coupled to the carrier; defining a first depth interval and a second depth interval deeper than the first depth interval, the first depth interval including a first set of formation measurement points and the second depth interval including a second set of formation measurement points; establishing a plurality of trendlines of depth versus formation measurements using a processor with each trendline in the plurality of trendlines extending from a point in the first depth interval through a point in the second depth interval; and calculating a pore pressure line and associated uncertainty using the plurality of trendlines. | 11-06-2014 |
20140358444 | METHOD OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURE IDENTIFICATION USING TEMPERATURE - A method for identifying fractures in a formation. | 12-04-2014 |
20140372041 | VALIDATION OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL ROCK PROPERTIES FOR GEOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS - A method for validating earth formation data for input into a geophysical model includes: determining a lithology of the earth formation; receiving measurement data for a plurality of different properties of the earth formation rock; plotting data points for a first property versus a second property in a cross-plot using the received measurement data; plotting an expected correlation between the first property and the second property on the cross-plot for rock of the determined lithology; establishing an acceptance criterion for validating the data points related to the first property and the second property with respect to the expected correlation; determining which of the plotted data points fall within the acceptance criterion to provide validated data points related to the first property and the second property; and inputting the validated data points related to the first property and the second property into the geomechanical model. | 12-18-2014 |
20150025807 | Methods for Determining Dielectric Permittivity Spectrum of Underground Rock Formations - Techniques involve determining the frequency-dependent dielectric permittivity spectrum of a rock sample. Determining the frequency-dependent dielectric permittivity may involve defining a series of electromagnetic measurement data having at least a measurement at a frequency from which a substantially frequency-independent value of dielectric permittivity ε | 01-22-2015 |
20150039234 | QUANTIFYING A RESERVOIR VOLUME AND PUMP PRESSURE LIMIT - Methods for computer modelling of a pressure transient behavior after shut-in and during fall-off of an injection event are provided to provide estimates of stimulated reservoir volume, formation permeability, stress contrast across the target and adjacent zones, fracture dimensions, fracture beyond the target zone, and pump pressure limits for maintaining fractures within the target zone, especially in fractured tight reservoirs. | 02-05-2015 |
20150046092 | Global Calibration Based Reservoir Quality Prediction from Real-Time Geochemical Data Measurements - Real-time or near real-time estimates of reservoir quality properties, along with performance indicators for such estimates, can be provided through use of methods and systems for fully automating the estimation of reservoir quality properties based on geochemical data obtained at a well site. | 02-12-2015 |
20150051838 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETERMINING AND OPTIMIZING WATERFLOOD PERFORMANCE - A system and method of map based assessment of waterflood are provided. The method includes generating a water injection influence (WII) map by mapping one or more connectivity parameters derived from a capacitance resistance model; calculating a recovery factor (RF) and pore volumes injected (PVI) for each injector influence region in one or more influence regions defined from the connectivity parameters; determining a maximum of the recovery factor versus the pore volume injected using a curve fit extrapolation; determining a volume of injection water needed or a number of injectors needed based on recovery factor versus pore volumes injected; calculating a voidage replacement ratio (VRR) within each injector influence region; determining a target voidage replacement ratio by selecting an average voidage replacement ratio with a most recent interval of time; and determining a number of infill wells with drilling schedule to maintain the determined target voidage ratio. | 02-19-2015 |
20150057933 | INDENTIFYING A STIMULATED RESERVOIR VOLUME FROM MICROSEISMIC DATA - In some aspects, a closed boundary is computed based on locations of microseismic events associated with a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region. Based on the boundary, a stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) for the stimulation treatment is identified. The boundary encloses a first subset of the locations and a second, different subset of the locations reside outside the boundary. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057934 | IDENTIFYING UNCERTAINTY ASSOCIATED WITH A STIMULATED RESERVOIR VOLUME (SRV) CALCULATION - In some aspects, first and second boundaries are computed based on locations of microseismic events associated with a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region. Based on the first and second boundaries, an uncertainty associated with a stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) for the stimulation treatment is identified. The first and second boundaries are defined in a common spatial domain and at least a portion of the second boundary resides outside the first boundary. | 02-26-2015 |
20150088427 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RECOVERY WITH CHANGE DETECTION AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method for predicting hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation may include generating pre-heating data associated with fracturing in a sample from the subterranean formation, heating the sample with RF power to cause additional fracturing in the sample, and generating post-heating data associated with additional fracturing in the sample after heating with RF power. The method may also include detecting change between the pre-heating data and post-heating data, and predicting hydrocarbon recovery from the subterranean formation based upon the detected change. | 03-26-2015 |
20150106017 | Visual Interface for Identifying Layers within a Subterranean Formation - The present disclosure relates to a visual interface for identifying layers within a subterranean formation. One example method includes identifying one or more sets of data associated with a subterranean formation; computing, by operation of one or more processors, a working line based on the one or more sets of data, the working line representing a numerical average of the one or more sets of data; presenting the working line and the one or more sets of data in a common plot in a visual interface; identifying one or more layer boundaries for one or more of the layers of the subterranean formation; and generating layer data based on the one or more identified layer boundaries and the working line. | 04-16-2015 |
20150106018 | 3D-Well Log Invention - A process to create a well grid from an initial x, y grid spacing, by assigning x, y, z datapoints, from wells from a dataset of well data comprising attributes associated with the x, y, z datapoints, to closest x, y nodes in the grid, wherein the x, y, z datapoints from a plurality of the wells are iteratively spaced away from the closest x, y grid nodes until no more than one well is assigned to any single-well x, y grid node, and populating the respective single-well x, y grid nodes with the attributes associated with the assigned x, y, z datapoints to form a matrix of x, y, z grid nodes populated with the attributes to generate a 3D well log grid. | 04-16-2015 |
20150112598 | Methods and Systems for Improving Interpretation of Formation Evaluation Measurements - The disclosure provides methods and systems for improving the interpretation of formation evaluation measurements. The methods involve using a downhole tool to measure a property of a formation at multiple depths of investigation and calculating a spatial integrated J function, a spatial integrated K function, or both from the measurements. The J function and K function are used in different applications to improve interpretation. The system includes a tool for measuring a formation property and a processor for calculating a spatial integrated J function, a spatial integrated K function from the measurements taken at different depths of investigation. The processor may also perform interpretations such as classifications, probability distributions and initialization steps for radial inversion using the J and K functions. | 04-23-2015 |
20150120195 | IDENTIFYING SUBSURFACE MATERIAL LAYER - In an approach for identifying subsurface material layers, a computer processor: acquires a well log of a location to be explored, the log comprising data corresponding to multiple geophysical parameters, the data of each parameter comprising measurement values of the parameter at different depths underground; matches a reference data of each parameter corresponding to each of multiple layer transition types with the data of that parameter in the well log at depths underground, wherein each layer transition type indicates an upper material layer and a lower material layer, and the reference data is used to represent a variation trend of the parameter in a transitional zone conforming with the layer transition type; and according to the matching result, determines a layer transition type at the location to be explored and a depth of an interface between the upper material layer and the lower indicated by the layer transition type. | 04-30-2015 |
20150134258 | Well Pressure Control Event Detection and Prediction Method - A method for identifying and predicting well pressure control events includes pumping fluid into a wellbore and collecting fluid returning from the wellbore. A first parameter related to a rate of flow of fluid pumped into the wellbore is measured. A second parameter related to a rate of flow of fluid out of the wellbore is measured. The first and second parameters and selected properties of the fluid are used to calculate an equivalent density of the fluid during pumping (ECD) and when pumping is stopped (ESD). An alarm when at least one of the following occurs: ECD is at least equal to a fracture pressure of at least one formation in the wellbore, ESD is at most equal to a fluid pore pressure of at least one formation in the wellbore, and ESD is at most equal to a collapse pressure of the wellbore. | 05-14-2015 |
20150142320 | MEASUREMENT TRANSFORMATION APPARATUS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to receive electromagnetic measurement data characterizing a formation from at least one transmitter-receiver pair. Further activity includes transforming the electromagnetic measurement data into transformed measurement data by computing a wavelet transform over the electromagnetic measurement data to provide wavelet coefficients, removing the wavelet coefficients below a selected threshold to provide remaining coefficients, and synthesizing the transformed measurement data by computing a reverse wavelet transform over a combination of the remaining coefficients. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described. | 05-21-2015 |
20150301213 | A METHOD FOR PROCESSING ACOUSTIC WAVEFORMS - A method for processing acoustic waveforms comprises acquiring acoustic waveforms in a borehole traversing a subterranean formation and transforming at least a portion of the acoustic waveforms to produce frequency domain signals. Then model dispersion curves are generated based on an anisotropic borehole-formation model having a set of anisotropic borehole-formation parameters. The frequency-domain signals are back-propagating using the model dispersion curves to correct dispersiveness of the signals and coherence of the back-propagated signals is calculated. Alternatively the difference between the measured and the model dispersion curves is determined. Model parameters are iteratively adjusted until the coherence reaches a maximum or exceeds a selected value, or alternatively until the difference between the measured and the model dispersion curves becomes minimal or is reduced to below a selected value. Then at least a portion of the set of anisotropic borehole-formation parameters is obtained. | 10-22-2015 |
20150309200 | A METHOD FOR PROCESSING ACOUSTIC WAVEFORMS - A method for processing acoustic waveforms comprises acquiring acoustic waveforms in a borehole traversing a subterranean formation and transforming at least a portion of the acoustic waveforms to produce frequency domain signals. Then model dispersion curves are generated based on an anisotropic borehole-formation model having a set of anisotropic borehole-formation parameters and by specifying governing equations and using a matrix Riccati equation approach. The frequency-domain signals are back-propagating using the model dispersion curves to correct dispersiveness of the signals and coherence of the back-propagated signals is calculated. Alternatively the difference between the measured and the model dispersion curves is determined. Model parameters are iteratively adjusted until the coherence reaches a maximum or exceeds a selected value, or alternatively until the difference between the measured and the model dispersion curves becomes minimal or is reduced to below a selected value. Then at least a portion of the set of anisotropic borehole-formation parameters is obtained. | 10-29-2015 |
20150323691 | METHOD FOR MONITORING AN UNDERWATER SITE - The invention relates to a method for monitoring an underwater site, comprising the following steps: continuously recording at least two physico-chemical parameters around the underwater site, and activity at an industrial plant related to the underwater site. | 11-12-2015 |
20150354342 | Methods For Analyzing Formation Tester Pretest Data - Methods are disclosed for processing, in real-time, pressure data acquired with a formation tester during a pretest to quickly establish the quality of the measurement being conducted. The methods can optimize pressure measurement operations by assessing whether it is desirable or not to wait for the formation tester flowline pressure to equilibrate to the sandface pressure. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to whether the pretest succeeded in establishing hydraulic communication between the formation and the flowline by comparing the pressure signal with a simulation of the pressure behavior corresponding to a false buildup during a dry test. In another embodiment, a determination is made as to whether the pretest succeeded in isolating the tool flowline and the formation from the wellbore by using the pressure signal to estimate the sandface pressure during buildup over time, and to compare the estimated sandface pressure signal with the borehole pressure. | 12-10-2015 |
20150355354 | METHOD OF ANALYZING SEISMIC DATA - A method of analyzing measured microseismic events obtained from monitoring induced hydraulic fracturing of underground geological formations, the method involving (a) postulating the location of an evolving planar fracture, having a temporal and spatial trajectory based on a fracture propagation model requiring knowledge of the material properties of the geology, an initiation point and at least two measured microseismic events that fit the postulated fracture trajectory; (b) assessing whether additional measured microseismic events are sufficiently close to the temporal and spatial trajectory to be considered to be occurring as part of the propagation of the fracture; (c) determining whether the postulated fracture trajectory is statistically significant by comparing the number of microseismic events which are sufficiently close with a statistical baseline number; (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) as necessary until at least one plausible fracture plane consistent with the measured events is found is provided. | 12-10-2015 |
20150369937 | METHOD OF MODELLING A SUBSURFACE VOLUME - Disclosed is a method monitoring changes in saturation of a subsurface volume. The method comprises: obtaining observed data of saturation behaviour from the subsurface volume over time; using one or more models, obtaining simulated data of saturation behaviour from the subsurface volume over time; and transforming each of the observed data and simulated data. The transformation is done such that in each case the data is described in terms of: a front location parameter, wherein a cell of the subsurface volume is attributed a value according to its location relative to a front of the fluid for which saturation is being monitored, and a sweep intensity parameter, wherein a cell of the subsurface volume is attributed a value according to either the observed saturation variation over a time period, or an estimated saturation variation over the time period, finally, a mismatch between saturation behaviour in said transformed observed data and saturation behaviour in said transformed simulated data over said time period is calculated. | 12-24-2015 |
20160003030 | Determining Stresses in a Pipe Under Non-Uniform Exterior Loads - Systems and methods for determining stresses in pipe under non-uniform exterior loads to test the pipe design for structural integrity by approximating non-uniform exterior loads on the pipe and performing a stress analysis of the pipe under the non-uniform exterior loading to determine the stresses in the pipe. | 01-07-2016 |
20160003039 | Systems and Methods for Computing Surface of Fracture per Volume of Rock - Systems and methods for estimating surface of fracture per volume of rock are provided. The systems include a logging tool, such as a resistivity tool, for generating a borehole image representative of segments of fractures in one or more planes and a processor for estimating surface of fracture per volume of rock (P | 01-07-2016 |
20160003793 | SURFACE GAS CORRECTION BY GROUP CONTRIBUTION EQUILIBRIUM MODEL - Methods and systems are disclosed to determine total hydrocarbons from fluid-carrying fluids and solids from a geological formation during downhole operations. Gas extraction at a well site occurs through a gas extractor at a set pressure, detected temperature, detected density, and controlled volume rate. The quantities of various components of interest are determined from samples of fluid influent and effluent from the wellbore by solving a system of equations of state using a group contribution equilibrium model. Knowing approximate chemical compositions of the liquid fluid and solid phases before contamination with formation materials, with the detection of the gas phase and description of the solid phase from the geological formation, to allows for determination of total detectable hydrocarbons from geological formations at the surface, and their concentrations to be expressed as mole or mass fraction for materials coming from a wellbore while downhole operations. | 01-07-2016 |
20160003973 | APPARATUS AND METHODS TO VISUALIZE FORMATION RELATED FEATURES - Apparatus and methods to visualize formation properties and distances associated with formations can be implemented in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, one or more visualization schemes and systems arranged to implement such schemes can use a combination of visual structures to provide information about measured formations. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 01-07-2016 |
20160011331 | APPARATUS AND METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS | 01-14-2016 |
20160025895 | Well Treatment with Digital Core Analysis - Methods of well treatment include modeling approaches that account for the effect of pore structure during well stimulation treatments. In one aspect, methods may include preparing a computer model of a porous medium; simulating an injection of a fluid into the computer model of the porous medium; measuring a pore-scale heterogeneity of the computer model of the porous medium, and designing a stimulating fluid treatment for the porous medium. Other aspects may include the development of a wellbore stimulation methodology that allows stimulation fluid breakthrough curves of differing formation samples to be plotted as a single curve that accounts for the varied pore structure of the respective samples. | 01-28-2016 |
20160040532 | RESERVOIR WATER VOLUME SHIFT MODEL - A method of estimating properties of a reservoir fluid in an underground reservoir includes: calculating the density ρ of the mixture containing water; determining component-specific volume shift parameters c | 02-11-2016 |
20160047208 | Tar Mat Formation Prediction in Late-Charge Reservoirs - A downhole tool, surface equipment, and/or remote equipment are utilized to obtain data associated with a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, fluid contained therein, and/or fluid obtained therefrom. At least one condition indicating that a density inversion exists in the fluid contained in the reservoir is identified from the data. Molecular sizes of fluid components contained within the reservoir are estimated from the data. A model of the density inversion is generated based on the data and molecular sizes. The density inversion model is utilized to estimate the density inversion amount and depth and time elapsed since the density inversion began to form within the reservoir. A model of a gravity-induced current of the density inversion is generated based on the data and the density inversion amount, depth, and elapsed time. | 02-18-2016 |
20160054464 | ANISOTROPY ANALYSIS USING DIRECT AND REFLECTED ARRIVALS IN SEISMIC SURVEY DATA - A seismic data analysis system includes seismic receivers to collect seismic survey data, wherein the seismic survey data includes direct and reflected arrival data in response to at least one seismic source fired at different shot offsets. The system also includes memory that stores the collected seismic survey data. The system also includes a processing unit that extracts traveltimes for direct and reflected arrivals from the seismic survey data and performs an inversion using the direct and reflected arrival traveltimes simultaneously to determine anisotropy parameters, including Thomsen parameters, epsilon (ε) and delta (δ), for at least one layer of a vertical transversely isotropic (VTI) model. | 02-25-2016 |
20160069181 | Systems and Methods for Cement Evaluation - Systems, methods, and devices for evaluating proper cement installation in a well are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving acoustic cement evaluation data having a first parameterization. At least a portion of the entire acoustic cement evaluation data may be corrected to account for errors in the first parameterization, thereby obtaining corrected acoustic cement evaluation data. This corrected acoustic cement evaluation data may be processed with an initial solid-liquid-gas model before performing a posteriori refinement of the initial solid-liquid-gas model, thereby obtaining a refined solid-liquid-gas model. A well log track-indicating whether a material behind the casing is a solid, liquid, or gas-may be generated by processing the corrected acoustic cement evaluation data using the refined solid-liquid-gas model. | 03-10-2016 |
20160076358 | Systems and Methods for Processing Acoustic Cement Evaluation Data - Systems, methods, and devices for evaluating proper cement installation in a well are provided. In one example, a method includes obtaining acoustic cement evaluation data points and processing the acoustic cement evaluation data points using a solid-liquid-gas model to assign at least some of the acoustic cement evaluation data points to a material of solid, liquid, or gas in an annulus of the wellbore behind the casing. The solid-liquid-gas model includes a tight solid-liquid-gas model in which a gas threshold range is not directly adjacent to a liquid threshold range and/or a solid-liquid-gas model that considers flexural attenuation when a pulse-echo-derived acoustic impedance is below an evanescence point. | 03-17-2016 |
20160077229 | METHOD OF ASSESSING HYDROCARBON SOURCE ROCK CANDIDATE - A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analysed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content. | 03-17-2016 |
20160091622 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEISMIC DATA ANALYSIS USING A TILTED TRANSVERSELY ISOTROPIC (TTI) MODEL - At least some of the disclosed systems and methods employ one or more seismic receivers that gather seismic data from a plurality of positions in a borehole that penetrates a formation. Further, at least some of the disclosed systems and methods employ a memory to store the gathered seismic data. Further, at least some of the disclosed systems and methods employ logic that inverts the seismic data for simultaneous determination of asymmetric axis velocity (V | 03-31-2016 |
20160103238 | Systems and Methods for Data Driven Parametric Correction of Acoustic Cement Evaluation Data - Systems, methods, and devices for evaluating proper cement installation in a well are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving acoustic cement evaluation data parameterized using a first parameterization. A subset of the acoustic cement evaluation data is compared to expected nominal values of the acoustic cement evaluation data. When the subset of the acoustic cement evaluation data does not substantially conform to the expected nominal values of the acoustic cement evaluation data, all or part of the acoustic cement evaluation data is corrected to cause the subset of the acoustic cement evaluation data to more closely match the expected nominal values of the acoustic cement evaluation data. The corrected acoustic cement evaluation data may be used to estimate a presence of solids, liquids, and/or gases behind the casing. | 04-14-2016 |
20160123953 | Evaluating Reservoir Oil Biodegradation - Upper and lower asphaltene weight fractions of fluid proximate ends of an oil column are obtained based on measured OD. Upper and lower maltene partial densities are obtained based on the asphaltene weight fractions. A maltene partial density distribution is obtained utilizing the maltene partial densities and a predetermined diffusion model. An asphaltene partial density distribution is obtained based on the maltene partial density distribution and an estimated mass density gradient. An asphaltene weight percentage is obtained based on the asphaltene partial density distribution and the mass density gradient. The asphaltene weight percentage distribution is converted to an OD distribution utilizing a predetermined correlation. An optimization then reduces differences between the OD distribution and the measured OD data to within a predetermined range to refine a biodegradation time of the predetermined diffusion model. A viscosity distribution may be obtained based on the optimized OD distribution. | 05-05-2016 |
20160124115 | System and Method of Pore Type Classification for Petrophysical Rock Typing - Embodiments of a method of pore type classification for petrophysical rock typing are disclosed herein. In general, embodiments of the method utilize parameterization of MICP data and/or other petrophysical data for pore type classification. Furthermore, embodiments of the method involve extrapolating, predicting, or propagating the pore type classification to the well log domain. The methods described here are unique in that: they describe the process from sample selection through log-scale prediction; PTGs are defined independently of the original depositional geology; parameters which describe the whole MICP curve shape can be utilized; and objective clustering can be used to remove subjective decisions. In addition, the method exploits the link between MICP data and the petrophysical characteristics of rock samples to derive self-consistent predictions of PTG, porosity, permeability and water saturation. | 05-05-2016 |
20160130940 | Systems and Methods For Formation Fluid Sampling - Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems and methods for formation fluid sampling. In one embodiment, a method can include monitoring a relationship between a first characteristic of a formation fluid extracted from a formation and a second characteristic of the formation fluid extracted from the formation, determining, based at least in part on the monitoring, that a linear trend is exhibited by the relationship between the first characteristic of the formation fluid extracted from the formation and the second characteristic of the formation fluid extracted from the formation, and determining a reservoir fluid breakthrough based at least in part on the identification of the linear trend, wherein the reservoir fluid breakthrough is indicative of virgin reservoir fluid entering a sampling tool. | 05-12-2016 |
20160146970 | AUTOMATED METHOD FOR SELECTING POSITIONS WITHIN FORMATIONS FROM WHICH TO EXTRACT SAMPLES THEREOF - A method for selecting core points in subsurface formations includes selecting a zone from at least one subsurface formation. At least one statistical measure of at least one petrophysical measurement with respect to position along the selected zone is calculated. A predetermined number of core points at randomly selected positions along the selected zone is selected The at least one statistical measure is calculated for the randomly selected positions. Using a Monte Carlo iteration, the positions along the selected zone are randomly reselected and the at least one statistical measure is recalculated for the randomly reselected points until the at least one statistical measure for the randomly selected points is a maximum for a user selected statistical criterion applied to the at least one statistical measure of at least one petrophysical measurement with respect to position along the selected zone. | 05-26-2016 |
20160153275 | Systems and Methods for Positioning Horizontal Wells Within Boundaries | 06-02-2016 |
20160161344 | Temperature Measurement Using a Magnetic Ranging Tool - A method of measuring the temperature in a wellbore may include positioning a conductor within the wellbore where the conductor has a temperature-dependent resistivity. By measuring the resistance of the conductor, the temperature of the wellbore may be determined. The conductor may be coupled to a power supply by a wireline. The resistivity of the wireline may be measured or calibrated for changes in its resistivity in response to wellbore temperature. | 06-09-2016 |
20160177706 | FORMATION FRACTURING POTENTIAL USING SURROUNDING PORE PRESSURES | 06-23-2016 |
20160186557 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DETERMINING STIFFNESS COEFFICIENTS OF FORMATION - The present invention proposes a method and apparatus of determining stiffness coefficients of formation. In some embodiments, the invention includes setting up a relation of stiffness coefficients of formation C | 06-30-2016 |
20180024269 | System, Method and Apparatus for Determining the Disposition of Structural Features Present in Borehole Cores | 01-25-2018 |
20190146119 | Implementing Free Advection in Basin Modeling | 05-16-2019 |